Nagpur High Court Initiates Suo Motu PIL Over Traffic Signal Failures and Stalled IITMS Project
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken decisive action by issuing notices to the Maharashtra government and the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL). This legal intervention addresses the alarming poor condition of traffic signals across the city and the stalled implementation of the crucial Integrated Intelligent Traffic Management System (IITMS) project.
Court Takes Cognisance Based on Media Report
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode formally registered the suo motu PIL after taking cognisance of a detailed report published in The Times of India on December 3, 2025. The report raised serious concerns about the status of the IITMS project despite substantial public expenditure already allocated for its completion.
Substantial Funds Sanctioned with Minimal Implementation
According to the court's order referencing the news report, approximately Rs197 crore was sanctioned specifically for the IITMS project. This ambitious initiative was designed to modernize Nagpur's traffic signal infrastructure and significantly improve overall traffic management through advanced monitoring systems and technological upgrades.
However, implementation has been severely lacking. The report indicated that only around 10 traffic signals were actually upgraded under the initiative, which was led by the implementing agency Keltron. Meanwhile, numerous other traffic signals across various parts of the city continued to malfunction regularly, creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Deteriorating Traffic Signal Network
The bench observed that this situation has allegedly resulted in the progressive deterioration of Nagpur's entire traffic signal network. Specific issues highlighted in the report and noted by the court include:
- Frequent and unpredictable signal failures at major intersections
- Poor maintenance of existing traffic signal infrastructure
- Complete absence of effective monitoring mechanisms
- Lack of coordination between implementing agencies
Amicus Curiae Submissions and Municipal Response
Amicus curiae Utkarsh Khobragade informed the judges that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation had provided a concerning explanation for the situation. According to his submission, NMC officials stated that traffic signals were not being properly maintained because the IITMS project had not yet been made operational, creating a circular problem where maintenance was deferred pending project completion.
Taking note of these submissions along with the detailed contents of the news report, the court formally issued notices to the respondents, seeking their comprehensive response to the serious concerns raised in the petition.
Legal Proceedings and Next Hearing
During the proceedings, Additional Government Pleader Shishir Ukey waived service of notice on behalf of the state authorities, while advocate Sudhir Puranik performed the same action for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, indicating their acknowledgment of the court's intervention.
The bench has directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on March 23, 2026. Importantly, the court ordered that this new suo motu PIL be heard alongside an earlier public interest litigation concerning traffic management issues in Nagpur that was originally filed back in 2014, suggesting a pattern of unresolved traffic infrastructure problems in the city spanning over a decade.
This judicial intervention represents a significant development in addressing Nagpur's persistent traffic management challenges and ensuring accountability for the substantial public funds allocated to the IITMS project that has shown minimal tangible results despite years of planning and expenditure.
