The Gujarat High Court summoned the state’s Home Department Additional Chief Secretary M K Das and the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Ashwini Kumar to appear in court on Aug 29. 

The court issued this order during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by Advocate Amit Panchal. Justices A Y Kogje and Sameer J Dave of the High Court criticised the state government, traffic department, Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and police authorities for their lack of effective action on the issues of stray cattle, deteriorated roads, and encroachments on roads and footpaths.

The High Court severely reprimanded the state government, recalling that under the previous Justice M R Shah, traffic and illegal parking issues were completely controlled. However, it seems that the situation has regressed. 

The court questioned why the problems persist despite no apparent reasons and criticised the government’s defence that the increasing number of vehicles is behind the issue. 

The court asked what scientific methods the government has implemented to resolve this issue. If the government does not even understand the root cause, how can it resolve the problem? The court made it clear that no leniency will be tolerated, and decisive action is required, or no resolution will be achieved.

The court said that it has taken up numerous issues, and it is serious about the entire matter. Therefore, there will be no leniency. The court has been observing the situation since the last six hearings but has seen no satisfactory progress. Hence, it has become necessary for the above mentioned senior officials to provide answers in court.

Despite 60 orders since 2018 in contempt cases, there has been no fruitful outcome.

Justice bench emphasised that all the government’s claims and statements have been merely on paper. The court stressed that the government and its officials must genuinely implement the High Court’s orders.

The police and municipal authorities must act decisively, or no resolution will be achieved, said HC.

Also read :

HC slams Guj authorities over traffic, illegal parking issues

HC orders strict action against vehicles parked on roads, footpaths, seeks status report on Aug 20