Kochi, Nov 23 (PTI) Would it not be great if one does not have to weave between wares and signboards of shops on the pavements besides taking care not to bump into others while walking on roadsides or footpaths when out with family and friends during religious festivals in our temples?

Also Read | Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren Conferred with #VirChakra Posthumously. Martyred at Galwan … – Latest Tweet by DD News.

If yes, then a recent direction of the Kerala High Court to religious and political organisations to "scrupulously follow" the norms prohibiting obstruction of pedestrian and traffic movement during festivals or protests ought to come as welcome news.

Also Read | Lalu Prasad Yadav Appears Before Patna CBI Court in Fodder Scam Case.

Roadside stalls, selling sweet meats to toys and even imitation jewellery, outside temples or churches are one of the attractions of religious festivals, but these cannot be allowed to obstruct movement of pedestrians and traffic by exhibiting their wares on the pavement or roads.

In fact the norms laid down with regard to non-obstruction of public roads and pavements have to be followed by everyone, be it the Travancore Devaswom Board or persons associated with churches or mosques or any religious or political organization conducting an event or a protest, the high court has said.

"Encroachment of the road during such events cannot be permitted, especially when trade is being conducted on the side of public roads," it said.

"This cannot be permitted anywhere, be it a church or a temple or a mosque or any event conducted by a political organisation," it added.

The court was hearing a plea against the setting up of shops on the road margin of Chavady-Thuravur Junction in connection with the annual festival of Thuravur Mahakshethram.

The petition, by a resident of the area, has contended that, since the road in question was maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD), without its consent or permission no such shops can be put up.

The TDB, on the other hand, told the court that the road in question where the shops were set up was laid through Devaswom property.

The court, however, said that the road has to remain as such and the TDB cannot auction off space on the road or the pavement.

It also said that no shop owner can exhibit their wares outside his stall.

The court asked the Alappuzha District Collector to convene a meeting with the Grama Panchayath and PWD officials to finalise a site plan for allotment of the shops. PTI

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)