Kolkata, Oct 28: A public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court today seeking a ban on processions and meetings in the central business district here and proper management for smooth flow of traffic. The PIL, filed by Subhas Dutta, secretary of the Howrah Ganatantrik Nagarik Samity, an NGO, sought a total ban on processions and meetings in the central business district while in other areas, footpaths and roads should be kept encroachment free.
Incidentally, a High Court order restricting rallies and processions in the metropolis was stayed by a division bench of the court on October 17.
The writ was filed against the state of West Bengal, transport and home departments, Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Director-General of State Police, Public Vehicles Department and State Pollution Control Board.
Dutta claimed that the petition sought to strike a balance between democratic rights of political parties and citizen's rights.
Annexing 101 photographs depicting the sorry state of affairs on city streets with encroachments, illegal parking and traffic mismanagement on arterial roads, he sought the appointment of an expert committee to look into the problems faced by commuters and also to suggest remedies.
Bureau Report