BHC orders comprehensive survey of Joint Road traffic issues, seeks detailed reports

QUETTA, Oct 13 (APP): The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has ordered a comprehensive survey to examine traffic congestion on Joint Road in Quetta, issues relating to shops situated opposite a proposed filling station, and matters concerning the road widening project, while seeking detailed reports from the relevant authorities.

The directives were issued by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail and Justice Muhammad Najmuddin Mengal during the hearing of a case.

The court directed the Director of the Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau to coordinate with the Director General Traffic Engineering Bureau and ensure a detailed survey of Joint Road in the presence of representatives of the Advocate General’s Office, Pakistan Railways, and the petitioner or his legal counsel.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that shops located opposite the proposed filling station were obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and could create an additional bottleneck on the road. Counsel for the petitioner stated that a site inspection had been conducted along with a representative of REDAMCO. He further submitted that although a principle decision had earlier been taken to remove shops on the opposite side of the road facing the proposed filling station, the necessary measures had yet to be implemented.

The bench observed that the matter could not be resolved without a proper site inspection and comprehensive survey. It therefore directed the Advocate General’s Office to obtain reports from the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta and the concerned Tehsildar or Revenue Officer regarding existing, newly constructed and proposed shops on both sides of Joint Road and submit them before the court.

The Advocate General was appointed convener of the survey committee, while a representative of the Advocate General’s Office was tasked with determining the survey date.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel also raised objections to reports submitted by the Commissioner Quetta Division and Pakistan Railways. Copies of the reports were provided to the concerned parties, who sought time to review the contents.

The court also expressed concern that the complete PC-I of the road expansion project had not been furnished, noting that only a single page had been submitted. In this regard, the Additional Advocate General and counsel for the Project Director were directed to take the necessary steps to place the complete record before the court.

Counsel for Pakistan Railways informed the bench that minutes of a meeting had been submitted during the previous hearing, according to which REDAMCO had sought permission to establish a filling station on the eastern side of Joint Road.

The High Court extended its earlier interim order until the next hearing and directed that copies of the latest order be forwarded to the Office of the Advocate General Balochistan for information and compliance by the relevant authorities.

The proceedings were conducted in a case linked with Constitutional Petition No. 824 of 2016, with the court directing the concerned departments to continue necessary action and report progress at the next hearing.