New Delhi: Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking the construction of either a foot over bridge (FOB) or an underpass near the National Zoological Park on Mathura Road, or as an alternative, a 20-second traffic light at the Sher Shah Road intersection.
A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela declined to entertain the plea, stating that matters involving urban traffic planning are best left to experts.
The petitioner argued that the absence of a traffic signal on the stretch caused hardship for pedestrians, as the nearest FOB was located far away near Sundar Nagar.
However, the court noted that an integrated development plan had already been approved by the central and Delhi governments to make the stretch signal-free through the construction of tunnels, underpasses, and FOBs.
Initially, the plan proposed two FOBs—one at zoo crossing and another near gate no. 6 of Bharat Mandapam. After feasibility assessments, only the FOB near the zoo’s petrol pump was approved, taking into account structural constraints and the proximity of a site maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
“The planners, on examination of the proposal, approved only one FOB based on planning considerations and feasibility,” the bench observed.
On the matter of traffic signals, the court said, “If, in the opinion of planners, a particular stretch is to be kept traffic light-free, court interference would be unwarranted.”
The court also noted that the Public Works Department had implemented alternative pedestrian safety measures, including zebra crossings, road studs, and signage, to mitigate risks.