Jaipur: Expressing concern over the rising number of road accidents across the state, a division bench of the Rajasthan high court Thursday directed the state govt to take immediate action to remove encroachments, particularly those made by eateries, along state and national highways.The bench ordered deployment of extra police force,if necessary, to remove encroachments from service lanes and to intensify highway patrolling. The court emphasised that road safety must be treated as a priority issue and directed the govt to submit a detailed report by Nov 14 outlining the measures taken for removing encroachments, enforcing traffic norms, and preventing accidents.The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice BS Sandhu, issued these directions while hearing a letter petition filed by Rajendra Sharma. The petition was taken up a day after the horrific road accident on the city’s Loha Mandi road under Harmada police station limits Monday, which left 13 dead and 13 others injured after a rashly driven dumper truck ploughed into at least 17 vehicles.“Everyday we are witnessing accidents and deaths. What is the govt doing to remove the encroachments on highways, especially by eateries? Why should their main gates and parking areas open directly onto the highway?” the court asked, observing that such eateries have parking and seating arrangements dangerously close to the road, posing a major threat to commuters.It further directed the govt to consider relocating parking and access points to the opposite side of highways to ensure safety. While seeking a detailed response from the state govt, the court questioned the measures being taken to improve road safety and prevent such accidents. Appearing on behalf of the govt, advocate general Rajendra Prasad informed the bench that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has taken the Harmada incident seriously and ordered an intensive campaign aimed at strengthening road safety and ensuring strict compliance with traffic rules.The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction as the accidents were increasing and slammed the authorities for failing to address encroachments effectively.
