Traffic lights outside MC office repaired after court’s notice

In a striking example of reactive governance, the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation repaired a defunct traffic signal, located ironically right outside its own office near Nehru Garden School, just a day after a petition was filed in the Permanent Lok Adalat demanding urgent action.

The plea, filed on Monday by Advocate Mayan Ranaut through counsels Vikram Dutta, JP Singh and Taranum Ranaut, highlights the continued failure of the civic body to maintain essential public infrastructure. It sought immediate repair of the signal, deployment of traffic personnel to manage congestion and regular maintenance going forward, citing the issue as a public utility failure under the Legal Services Authorities Act.

The Permanent Lok Adalat has admitted the petition and issued a formal notice to the Municipal Corporation, directing it to respond by June 6. In less than 24 hours, civic staff were seen at the site, initiating long-overdue repair work, a move seen by many as a direct result of legal pressure rather than administrative will.

The signal in question controls traffic at a crucial intersection frequented by schoolchildren, office-goers and park visitors. According to the plea, the lights had remained non-functional for a long time, turning the junction into a daily hazard zone, especially during school hours. Despite repeated complaints by residents, local shopkeepers, no action was taken until the legal intervention.

This incident is not isolated. The MC has developed a pattern of acting only after being pulled up by the courts. Just last month, the Corporation repaired the potholed Defence Colony Road—but only after the Permanent Lok Adalat passed specific directions in response to a similar petition. And earlier this week, lawyer Vikram Dutta moved the same judicial forum over unaddressed garbage piling up on Old GT Road opposite Kaypee Bakery.

“The fact that a signal right outside the MC’s own office was ignored says everything about the level of negligence,” said Advocate Dutta. “Citizens are now left with no choice but to take legal routes even for basic civic issues.”

The petition argues that under Section 61 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, the MC is legally bound to maintain public infrastructure. By failing to act, it adds, the corporation is violating the fundamental right to life and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution.