Acting on the directives of the Gujarat High Court, the petitioner on Aug 5 presented a revised PIL opposing the construction of Panjrapol flyover by the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), mentioning additional  issues of traffic congestion and possibilities of accident.

The bench of Chief Justice Sunita Aarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi had welcomed the petitioner’s environmental concerns regarding constructing the Panjrapol flyover but also directed to cover other issues including traffic in the city and increasing accidents.

The chief justice expressed concern over the complex problem of traffic and the increasing number of young people dying in accidents, making a poignant remark that the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway near the High Court intersects at this bridge, where many accidents have been reported.

“We have witnessed this ourselves. Traffic and the increasing number of accidents in the city are a serious problem,” said the chief justice emphasising the urgent need for integrated planning.

A public interest litigation has been filed raising the issue that the authorities are planning to construct another flyover bridge from Panjarapol Cross Road to IIM. Still, there is no need for this bridge. Moreover, there is already a bridge at a distance of 275 metres, so there is no need for this new flyover.

The AMC authorities were on an incessant drive to cut down the years-old trees in this area. This has caused great dissatisfaction and shock among the residents and environmentalists.

The high court scheduled hearing of the revised petition on Aug 7.

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