Plea to remove unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response of the State to a public interest litigation petition seeking removal of unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads including the National and State Highways roads.

A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete sought response of the authorities to a petition filed by A. Azhagesan of Kanniyakumari district.

The petitioner also sought a direction to instruct Corporation, Municipality and local bodies to give effect to Rule 326 (22) and Rule 337 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, frame standing orders for placement and procurement of barricades, reduce the size of the plate covers to one-fourth of the total width of the barricade for installing advertisements or police instructions making the road visible to riders, drivers and commuters, within a time frame.

He said that in the last decade the number of vehicles plying on the roads had multiplied. It is just and necessary for the authorities to maintain the public roads and streets as road worthy and motorable for all categories of vehicles and ensure the safety and well being of the commuters. The authorities have undertaken no major scientific studies and no concrete effective steps to resolve the traffic problems, he complained.

Barricades were being put up in the middle of the roads in an unplanned and unscientific manner posing a threat to the drivers and commuters. These barricades were put up at various junctions with an intention to reduce the speed of vehicles and also allow the pedestrians to cross the road. However, instead of reducing accidents, the barricades have been the reason for accidents including fatal ones. The barricades do not have any reflectors or warning sign boards, the petitioner said and sought a direction for removal of unregulated barricades. The case was posted for hearing after two weeks.