Matter of Traffic Obstructions and Shops on Joint Road: Balochistan High Court Orders Comprehensive Survey, Seeks Detailed Reports

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — The Balochistan High Court has ordered a comprehensive survey to examine matters related to obstructions in traffic flow on Quetta’s Joint Road, shops established in front of the proposed filling station, and the road widening project, and has sought detailed reports from the concerned authorities.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, during the hearing of the case, directed the Director of the Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau to ensure a comprehensive survey of Joint Road in the presence of the Advocate General’s office, Pakistan Railways, and the petitioner or his counsel, after informing the Director General of the Traffic Engineering Bureau.

The court was informed that shops present in front of the proposed filling station are affecting traffic flow on the road and there is a fear of creating another narrow point. According to the petitioner’s counsel, a site inspection was also conducted along with the representative of REDEMCO, while despite a principled decision to remove shops established on the other side of the road in front of the proposed filling station, necessary measures in this regard have not been taken.

The court observed that it is not possible to resolve the matter without a proper site inspection and comprehensive survey. In this connection, the Advocate General’s office was directed to obtain reports from the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta and the concerned Tehsildar or Revenue Officer regarding pre-existing, newly constructed, and proposed shops on both sides of Joint Road and present them in court. The Advocate General has been appointed as convener of the committee formed for the survey, while the date of the survey will be determined by the representative of the Advocate General’s office.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel also raised objections to the reports submitted by the Commissioner Quetta Division and Pakistan Railways, copies of which were provided to the parties. The concerned parties sought time to review the reports. The court also expressed concern that the PC-1 regarding road widening has not been provided completely and only one page has been submitted. In this regard, the Additional Advocate General and the Project Director’s counsel were directed to take necessary action.

The counsel for Pakistan Railways told the court that the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held at the previous hearing had been submitted, according to which REDEMCO has sought permission to establish a filling station on the eastern side of Joint Road.

The court, while extending the previously issued interim order until the next hearing, directed that a copy of the order be sent to the office of the Advocate General Balochistan so that concerned authorities can be informed for necessary action and compliance. These proceedings were held in the case attached with Constitutional Petition No. 824 of 2016.