The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the West Bengal government that barricades cannot be put up on national highways every two kilometres.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the extension of highways, the division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya asked the Centre and the state government to hold talks over the matter and stop putting up barricades or “cuts” at a gap of just one or two kilometres.

The court also said that underpasses or flyovers can be constructed to help the public commute without any hassle. The bench was of the view that putting up such barricades goes against the National Highways Act, 1956.

He also pointed out a recent accident in Kolkata’s Behala area where a seven-year-old child was killed by a speeding truck. After hearing the arguments, the court observed that all stakeholders need to remain alert to stop the number of accidents. It also said the public must be encouraged to use underpasses or flyovers.

Also, the High Court on Monday sought a detailed report from the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) over teachers being appointed in different state-run schools without undergoing the mandatory post-recruitment bridge course on teachers’ aptitude. The single bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed the Board to submit the report by August 18.

The matter will be heard again on August 21. It was brought to the notice of the HC that 6,000 primary teachers employed is various state-run schools have to undergo the compulsory post-recruitment bridge course.
BJP leader and lawyer Tarunjyoti Tiwari had filed a petition over the matter before Justice Gangopadhyay’s bench.