BENGALURU:
The Karnataka government has submitted affidavits to the High Court stating that changing school timings and working hours in factories is not necessary to control traffic in Bengaluru. The government argues that these factors are not the sole causes of congestion and that other factors also contribute. These affidavits, filed by the Education and Labour Departments after extensive consultation with stakeholders, were recorded by the HC, which adjourned the hearing of the PIL to the first week of January.
In the affidavit filed by Ritesh Kumar Singh, the Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, it is stated that there is no need to change school timings in Bengaluru. The report highlights that traffic congestion is not solely caused by school hours but is influenced by the overall movement of vehicles to and from various institutions, industries, and locations. The affidavit argues that making changes to school timings without addressing the overall traffic situation could have adverse consequences, disrupting students’ sleep, meals, and other essential activities.
However, the affidavit does provide suggestions for reducing congestion near schools and colleges. These include designating specific pickup and drop points for students, deploying traffic police and wardens during school start and end times, and offering Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services for students.
The affidavit by Mohammad Mohsin, the Principal Secretary of the Department of Labour, states that there is no need to change working hours in factories as they are not the sole cause of traffic congestion. The affidavit explains that workers typically travel between 6 am and 9 am and return after their working hours.
The State has, however, proposed several measures to alleviate traffic congestion. These include implementing better traffic management near schools and colleges, improving public transportation options, and encouraging carpooling and alternative modes of transportation.
This suggestion was made in response to the High Court’s recommendations regarding the adjustment of school, college, and factory schedules to regulate traffic congestion within the city. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Samarpana Trust was heard by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Krishna S Dixit.
