The Supreme Court has intervened to prevent the opening of a road outside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh. This decision, announced today, follows concerns raised by both the Centre and the Punjab government regarding potential security threats associated with the road’s reopening.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta acknowledged the opposition from both the Centre and the Punjab government regarding the road’s reopening. The road had been closed since the 1980s due to security reasons during the height of terrorism in Punjab and was scheduled to be reopened on a trial basis.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier ordered the opening of the 500-meter road, linking Sukhna Lake to Nayagaon in Chandigarh, on a trial basis starting May 1. However, this decision faced resistance from various quarters, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
The High Court’s order included provisions for Chandigarh Police to collaborate with traffic experts in devising a comprehensive traffic management plan for the road. It was intended to be open from 7 am to 7 pm on working days, aimed at easing commuting for residents traveling between Nayagaon and Sukhna Lake.
The closure of this road had necessitated long detours for people moving between Nayagaon and Sukhna Lake through adjacent sectors of the city. The Supreme Court’s stay on the road’s reopening signifies a significant development in the ongoing discussions concerning security concerns and traffic management in the region.
Sources By Agencies
