Underground parking hits green roadblock

Sunday , Aug 02, 2009
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Delhiites who have been opposed to the idea of creating space for vehicles under parks can finally breathe easy. Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has told Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) that it cannot create such parking sites without taking residents of the area into confidence.

This move has been proposed after taking into account the diminishing green cover in the city. Shalimar Bagh residents had filed a complaint with EPCA regarding the parking lot being created by MCD under a park in their colony. The parking project has been dropped now.

Sunita Narain, member EPCA, said: "We do not want to disturb the green cover of Delhi and have asked MCD to consider making vehicle space under parks as the last resort. We have asked them to ensure such areas are developed into flat areas after parking space is made. The MCD commissioner has been asked to ensure that in future, permission of residents of the area is sought before constructing a parking site.''

Said an MCD official: "If we have to keep seeking permission from residents, we won't be able to create parking at all. We are following the Master Plan 2021, which provides for allowing parking under green covers.'' MCD has plans to create 24 parking sites under the green cover, with work on at six such sites.

Shalimar Bagh residents had earlier filed a PIL against the civic agency which had planned to build a parking lot underneath Shiv Vatika a park between the AM and AN Blocks in Shalimar Bagh.

Abhilasha Mathur, a resident of the area, who took up this cause, said: "The park has 250 trees and MCD had said it would cut down 100 to construct the parking. We had taken up the matter with MCD but got no response. They didn't even consult us before taking up the project. We then decided to approach EPCA and are happy with the decision. This park is used by 3,000 locals.''

According to the list of authorized parking lots finalized on Saturday, there are around 140-150 surface parking sites under MCD areas and 53 in NDMC areas. Said Narain: "We will put up the list of authorized parking lots online and will initiate action against the unauthorized lots soon. Money collected from parking fines and charges by various agencies should be used as city development fund for improving roads and the public transport system. We're now looking at revising parking rates charged by MCD.''

Meanwhile, Delhi Traffic Police has sought revision of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 in an attempt to curb road related violations by hiking fines for different offences. As part of the proposal, the traffic police has suggested that the fine for unauthorized parking be increased to Rs 1,500 from the current Rs 100. While the proposal has been submitted to the Union surface transport ministry and was to be discussed after the elections it is yet to come up for discussion.