Raj HC bench summons SP Bharatpur over traffic management

The bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice N K Jain (senior) summoned the SP following a PIL filed by a Bharatpur-based advocate Shri Nath Sharma.

It was contended by the petitioner that the moat wall (wall surrounding the old fort) is in a shabby condition and apprehension was expressed that the wall is likely to collapse.

The bench directed the Archaeological Survey of India, which is already taking care of preservation work in the area, to take immediate measures to prevent the old wall from any further damage.

"It was brought to the notice of the court that the traffic is being tried to be managed in the best possible manner and an extra staff of 61 officials have already been provided with a new traffic plan, which is likely to ease the traffic hurdles.

"However, the court was not convinced and the SP has been called in person to explain as to how the management is going to be improved," said N A Naquvi, Senior Advocate and Additional Advocate General to the state government.

Additional Solicitor General of the Central Government appearing for the ASI told the High Court that a sum of rupees 6 lakh has been paid to MNIT for preparing a design to save the collapsing old moat wall and a further Rs 24 lakh has been sanctioned for other necessary and incidental preservation works to be carried out.

It is noteworthy that the division bench of Chief justice Arun Mishra and Justice N K Jain on the PIL had on April 17, directed Archaeological survey of India and MNIT, Jaipur, to complete the task of renovation and restoration of ancient Bharatpur fort and the heritage Sujanganga Canal surrounding the fort within a period of two months.