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Dudhwa Road Night Ban Sparks Legal Row
6 Jun
Summary
- Night traffic ban on Dudhwa-Gauriphanta road is now in effect.
- Lawyer challenges the ban, citing misinterpretation of Supreme Court orders.
- Local villagers and traders fear inconvenience due to the new restrictions.
A ban on vehicular movement from dusk to dawn on the Dudhwa-Gauriphanta road, effective since Friday evening, is facing opposition. Lucknow-based lawyer SM Haider Rizvi has lodged a protest, contending that the Supreme Court's directives have been misapplied. He asserts the road traverses a buffer zone, not the core or critical tiger habitat.
Field director Dr. H Rajamohan defended the ban, stating that significant portions of the road lie within core and critical tiger zones. He confirmed the order aligns with Supreme Court rulings and followed extensive deliberations. Deputy director Jagdish R emphasized that approximately 90% of the road is in the core zone.
The restriction is anticipated to inconvenience residents of over a dozen Tharu villages situated west of the road. These villagers will face longer detours to reach Chandan Chowki. Local traders also expressed apprehension, as the ban might force them to close shops earlier.
As an alternative, the Dudhwa-Chandanchowki road will remain open 24 hours, which is expected to partially alleviate travel issues for some. The Deputy Director issued the order citing Supreme Court judgments and UP government instructions, restricting all traffic except emergency vehicles between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am.
