The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the state government and district administration to utilize their discretionary powers to open the VNIT gates for traffic, amidst ongoing bridge construction at Ambazari T-Point. As per the local daily report, the bench expressed frustration with VNIT’s decision to deny temporary vehicle access through its campus. “Are you powerless? Why cannot you act under the Maharashtra Police Act? What are your collector and commissioner doing? You should know how things are done.
The judges orally remarked, “Your officers haven’t made genuine efforts. The road through VNIT would not be a permanent one.”
Government pleader Deven Chauhan informed the court that they had proposed to VNIT to allow access for three hours each in the morning and evening during peak traffic times. The proposal suggested permitting only two-wheelers on a one-way route through the campus, but VNIT declined the request.
VNIT counsel Anand Parchure stated that the institute would have to build a temporary bridge to manage traffic flow without disrupting campus activities. In an affidavit, VNIT associate dean Mangesh Madurwar argued that the institute’s internal roads are not equipped to handle heavy traffic.
The dean further mentioned that while VNIT was open to allowing access for emergency vehicles, the institution had concerns about permitting two-wheelers. VNIT proposed an alternative route to MahaMetro, which authorities rejected without explanation. “Allowing two-wheeler traffic on internal routes used by 1,400 female students to move between dormitories, academic buildings, and dining areas poses significant safety concerns,” Madurwar said.