NEW DELHI, April 29: The city's premier civic agency, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) runs just 32 authorised parking lots in the Capital. This is despite the fact that it has 1,397.29 square kilometres of the city under its jurisdiction, that is 94.22 per cent of the city's land. Is it a wonder that there are so many unauthorised parking lots being run in the city? According to S.K. Jain, Assistant Commissioner, Remunerative Project Cell: ``One of the reasons why there are so few parking lots is that many market associations refuse to let them be built in their area. They feel that it will affect their business. For instance, we were not allowed to start paid parking in Greater Kailash M-Block market, Kamla Nagar market and Lajpat Nagar except for the one near Alankar cinema hall because of pressure from the market associations.''
Jain added: ``Another reason is the lack of adequate space because of encroachments by shopkeepers and the increasing number of hawkers on the roads. We usually build huge parking lots like the underground parking at Asaf Ali road or the one near Lal Qila. However, we are considering a lot of proposals and hope to increase the number substantially by the end of this year.''
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), on the other hand, runs 105 parking lots in the city. According to the NDMC enforcement director, S S Rao: ``Increasing the number of parking lots in the city is not an easy task.
There have been so many instances where we have to convert a regular paid parking lot into a free parking because of political pressure. We have increased the number of parking lots from 88 to 105 this year and have identified 15-20 more sites for parking.''
He admitted that unauthorised parking lots had been running in Bengali Market and Pandara Road, even though they were free parking areas. ``After we received complaints, we raided the areas and stopped all that. However, we realised that not only did these places have potential for generating revenue, but there was a demand for safe parking. Therefore, we are now finalising a proposal, whereby in areas like Bengali Market and Pandara Road parking fee will be charged only after 6 p.m.,'' said Rao.
Admitting to the existence of unauthorised parking lots, Jain said that no action can be taken in such cases unless they receive a complaint. ``We need a complaint to initiate any kind of action. Once we receive a complaint, we can start legal proceedings. If cases of over-charging at authorised parking lots are brought to our notice then we impose a penality on those operating the parking lot,'' he said.
Complaints can be made to:
S K Jain, Assistant Commissioner, Remunerative Project Cell, Room No. 106,
Nigam Bhawan,
Kashmere Gate
TELEPHONE -- 2514763
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
