HC asks Maharashtra for its plan to spend US fund on Mumbai traffic

The Bombay High Court on Thursday sought to know from Maharashtra government its plan on putting to use the Rs 100-crore fund it will receive from Bloomberg Philanthropies towards road safety initiative.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah, asked the government to file an affidavit within four weeks stating how the fund will be used to address traffic issue in the city. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Bombay Bar Association seeking strict implementation of traffic rules and regulations and proper maintenance of roads.

The New York-based foundation has chosen Mumbai, along with nine other cities across the globe, for its road safety initiative which is aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries due to road mishaps. As a part of the initiative, Mumbai will get world-class, senior-level, full-time staff to work with the local authorities on their road safety measures over the next five years.

An MoU was signed between the Foundation and the state government last month. Under the initiative, the city is expected to receive comprehensive technical assistance from the world's leading road safety organisations on what can be done to reduce fatalities. Besides this, the programme will offer training for police officers and other relevant staff, and also create mass media campaigns. 

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