Delhi High Court directs Traffic Department to enforce prohibition on tractors, two/ three wheelers, animal carts on expressways

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the Delhi traffic department to enforce rigorously the prohibition on movement of slow-moving vehicles like tractors, two-wheelers and animal drawn carts on expressways in the national capital [Yuvraj Francis v Union of India & Ors]..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula asked the authorities to regularly monitor the situation and take corrective actions whenever there are deviations from the prescribed norms.The Court said that there are clear provisions prohibiting slow-moving vehicles on designated expressways, however, it is evident that there was a gap in practical execution.The Court, however, refused to pass any directions regarding demarcation of specific lanes from slow moving vehicles on expressways.“The process of setting aside dedicated lanes for such vehicles on expressways is not merely a matter of administrative decision-making but is deeply entrenched in policy considerations. Evaluating the implications of such an initiative necessitates an in-depth examination of multiple facets including feasibility, road safety implications, potential alternatives, and broader traffic management considerations,” the Court noted..It stressed that such a decision is best left to the discretion of the government and relevant departments.The Court passed the order while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a lawyer named Yuvraj Francis seeking directions to prevent slow moving vehicles such as tractors, animal drawn vehicles and two/ three wheelers from plying on the main carriageway of the expressways.It was stated that the petitioner lived in Gurugram and has been communicating on the on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway since 2011. He said there has been an alarming increase in the presence of slow-moving vehicles, which are prohibited from plying along high-speed thoroughfare. Such unauthorized vehicular movement has not only led to a multitude of accidents but has also resulted in considerable loss of life and property damage, it was contended..After considering the case, the Court passed directions for strict implementation of the prohibition on slow-moving vehicles..Advocates Naman Joshi and Ritika Vohra appeared for the petitioner Yuvraj Francis.Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Anurag Ahluwali and advocate Tarveen Singh Nanda appeared for Union of India.Advocates Santosh Kumar, Aditya Ramni, Daksh Arora and Akshita Singh appeared for National Highways Authority of India.Traffic department was represented through Delhi government’s Standing Counsel (Civil) Santosh Kumar Tripathi as well as advocates Arun Panwar, Prashansa Sharma, Rishabh Srivastava, Kartik Sharma and Pradyumn Rao..[Read Order]