Gurgaon: Roadside parking leads to snarls in front of Artemis hospital, residents miffed

Residents said visitors to the Artemis hospital prefer to park outside as it is free

Hundreds of commuters and residents of Sector 51 are facing regular snarls in front of Artemis hospital in Sector 51 due to improper parking of vehicles on both sides of the road.

Parking on the road near the Artemis hospital leaves commuters with no space. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Residents said that despite repeated pleas, the city traffic police has been dragging its feet in the matter and has not taken a single step in resolving the issue.

Residents alleged that the patients, attendants and visitors often park their vehicles on the road, as the parking fee inside the hospital compound is a minimum for ₹50, whereas it is free outside . They alleged that since the amount charged is too much for short visits, visitors prefer parking on both sides of the road or the service lane connecting residential societies.

Sanjay Jha (67), a resident of Abhinandan Apartments in Sector 51, said, “People visiting the hospital park their vehicles roadside, thereby impeding traffic movement. At times, residents here are forced into virtual house arrest, as visitors to the hospital park on both sides of the road and the service lane, leaving no space for residents to pass through.”

Residents said senior citizens are the worst-hit, as they are unable to navigate the stretch during the rush hour and crossing the road is also a perilous prospect, as there are no traffic officers to direct the movement of vehicles.

While hitting out at the authorities concerned for not taking action against those parking roadside, the residents railed against the hospital authorities for not leaving enough parking space for visitors.

“Several incidents of snatching have already been reported on the stretch. Many expats, who visit the hospital, have lost their passports and valuables outside the hospital gate. Still, there is no mechanism in place to ensure security. Not a single police officer is deployed on the stretch,” Sameer Miglani, a medicine distributor, said.

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Visitors said that roadside parking is the only option for them, as the parking lots are mismanaged and congested. “It’s always easy to park on the road, visit (the patient) and return to the car. The parking space inside the hospital compound is so congested that it takes around half-an-hour to drive out,” Amit Kohli, a student who came to collect a report from the hospital on Saturday, said.

Traffic officers said they are well aware of the situation and have been coordinating with the hospital staff to resolve the parking issue. “Starting Monday, we have decided to deploy a zonal officer to regulate traffic and challan people parking on the road. We have also asked the hospital staff to arrange an alternative parking space and manage traffic issues. The problem will be resolved soon,” Simardeep Singh, DCP(Traffic), said.