Delhi court takes note of bullock cart menace

NEW DELHI: Worried over traffic violations by bullock carts, which are often used for transporting heavy material across the city, a trial court has directed DCP Central zone (traffic) to appear before it on Thursday to explain what traffic police is doing to keep such violations in check.
The court also observed that these carts often pose a major threat to road safety of commuters, resulting in many road accidents when they violate traffic rules.MACT judge AK Mendiretta passed the order while hearing a road accident case in which a bullock cart puller while transporting iron rods from Naraina Loha Mandi to Chawri Bazaar got severely injured after being hit by a vehicle.
The judge pointed that operation of bullock carts is permissible only in certain parts of the city, that too during specific timings but in this case, there was prima facie a violation of the rule. While directing DCP (Central zone) to appear before it on Thursday, the court asked him to place on record all relevant rules related to plying of bullock carts in the city.
The court also observed that police should ensure that there is no violation in use of bullock carts which are often used for transportation of iron rods. “DCP central zone (traffic) is directed to place on record the relevant rules/regulations in this regard and to ensure there is no violation in use of bullock carts for transportation of iron rods to Naraina Loha Mandi to different parts of , which is a serious traffic hazard and leads to multiple accidents.” the court said.
Traffic police confirmed that plying of bullock carts was permissible only in some parts of Delhi, which includes Chandni Chowk - Sadar Bazar zone, Ghazipur - New Ashok Nagar area zone, Subzi Mandi Azadpur - Model town zone, Sangam Vihar - Mehrauli zone, Rajouri Garden market zone and Gafar market zone.