Wednesday 1 October 2014

Corporation rapped for closing parking

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Tuesday summoned North Delhi Municipal Corporation commissioner to explain why he shouldn't be charged with contempt for flouting court orders to keep surface parking in Chandni Chowk and nearby areas functional.

"Let the commissioner appear with records," a special bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar directed, after the corporation failed to explain why despite court orders the parking near Red Fort and Parade Grounds was shut.


HC made it clear that it wants the parking lot to remain accessible to vehicles so that there is no traffic congestion. The court further directed that concerned department of North Delhi corporation will furnish details of how many vehicles utilized its parking facilities between September 10-20 and will use during the festive season from October 5-15. The department has to submit records before the next date of hearing in November.


HC was hearing a contempt plea filed by local traders accusing the agencies of creating chaos in the area by bowing to demands of Ramlila organizers to keep the parking shut, ostensibly on security grounds. The special bench is monitoring a development plan to decongest traffic in Chandni Chowk and efforts to create non-motorized vehicle lanes in the area under its zonal development plan.


HC's intervention has come on a PIL, filed by NGO Manushi Sangathan in 2007, seeking directions to ensure redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. Earlier this year, the government had submitted a proposal to ban motorized vehicles from the main road and start a tram system.


Focus on building parking lots to absorb vehicles in the area is also critical because Delhi government has proposed to make the main road in Chandni Chowk free from motorized vehicles. Only emergency and utility vehicles will be allowed on the 1.6km stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid, it had earlier said. The proposal also provided that all private vehicles would be banned on the main Chandni Chowk road and a separate lane would be made for non-motorized vehicles and pedestrian traffic.



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