Green tribunal ban may further squeeze parking space in Delhi

Green tribunal ban may further squeeze parking space in Delhi

Several parking lots in Delhi are facing closure after an order by the National Green Tribunal, barring parking of cars on metalled roads in the national Capital.

The order has added to the worries of the civic officials, who are already struggling to cater to the parking needs of the city. Officials said most of the surface parking lots are being operated on the metalled road and the ban will make such parking lots into no-parking zone.

Civic agency officials said they are taking legal opinion to handle the situation.

The tribunal had also directed that any violation would lead to a fine of Rs 1,000.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar has directed the Delhi Traffic Police and concerned municipalities to ensure compliance of the directions. The bench has asked the police to take strict action against any person violating the direction.

“We are taking legal opinion over the issue. At present half of the roads are being used by the parking contractor. The order would mean that majority of parking lots will have to be declared illegal. Time and again we send notices to the contractors but for monetary gain they are operating out of roads,” said a senior official of the North Corporation.

Civic agency claims if NGT’s order is immediately implemented then over 20 parking lots in South Delhi will have to be closed down. “For making a parking lot we take permission from the Delhi police in view of traffic management. Now, as the NGT has also directed police to ensure that no vehicles are parked on metalled road then parking on carriageway will become illegal and lead to heavy fine. The problem of parking is already acute in the city,” said a senior south body official.

NGT has also asked the municipal corporations to submit a complete and comprehensive report with regard to the major markets in Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh, which have been taken as pilot projects. Officials of the north and south corporations are busy making alternate arrangements for parking and have started identifying land for the same.

The tribunal also directed the municipalities, DDA and the Delhi government to hold a meeting to identify the places where multi-level parking lots could be constructed.

“Parking lots are under the grip of parking mafia who are violating the guidelines and are operating even from the carriageways. At places like Lajpat Nagar, there is only one lane for vehicles to pass,” said Farhad Suri, leader of opposition in SDMC.