Parking curbs spark protest at courts complex

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

After the parking chaos at the district courts and the reason behind it — illegal parking — were highlighted in these columns, two policemen were today stationed at the road dividing Sectors 42 and 43 to check any such practice. 

But this sparked a protest by members of the Bar Association in the morning and the authorities had to give in, allowing them to park vehicles wherever they wished to.

 On Sunday, it was reported that due to a lack of parking space on the land adjoining the court, public vehicles were being parked on the road dividing Sectors 42 and 43. The parking is being done on the road and the berm, which is illegal. Two on-duty policemen were stationed at the road and did not allow vehicles to be parked there.

 At around 8.30 am, a few advocates started a protest there saying until a solution was found to the problem; parking had to be allowed there. The number of lawyers swelled up to nearly 40 by 10 am and at around 11 am, the protest ended after the parking was allowed in the area. According to the Bar Association, the authorities had given in to their demand.

The shortage of parking space has been an issue in the courts complex and the proposed multi-level parking adjoining the complex is yet to see the light of day. People are forced to park their vehicles on the road at the rear of the courts.  President of the Bar Association Ravinder Bassi said, “A long-term solution needs to be worked out. Not allowing parking will only harass the public.”