'Free unused land of encroachments': Rajiv Kakaria, GK-I RWA member

Till the government does not strengthen the public transport system, it can’t solve the parking problem. New vehicles are being added to the streets everyday and they need some space to be parked.

Rajiv Kakaria, member of Greater Kailash I, Resident Welfare Association, says:

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Till the government does not strengthen the public transport system, it can’t solve the parking problem. New vehicles are being added to the streets everyday and they need some space to be parked.

The civic agencies blame the shrinking space on the failure to create parking space. But what about the encroached spaces? Why don’t they free such land and use them as parking lots? If we won’t use our private vehicles, how are we to commute with the public transport system that is not in a condition to cater to everyone?

We live in an era of technology and even if parking lots are constructed underneath parks, the greenery can be restored. Palika Parking in Connaught Place is the best example of that. If such parking lots were created in residential areas, colony roads will also become less congested and will create more walking space.

The civic bodies that are responsible for creating parking facilities always take up big projects and they never complete it due to paucity of funds.

The MCD, for instance, should take up smaller projects — creating parking lots on a smaller scale — that are viable in terms of the funding required. There should be incentives such as reduction in property tax for people who convert their basements into parking lots.

(As told to HT reporter Neelam Pandey)