6 yrs on, no action on demand for panel to keep check on parking lots

Ludhiana, November 27

Despite repeated demands of shopkeepers and residents, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has not formed any monitoring committee to keep a check on the violations at parking lots in the city.

The fleecing of visitors remained a major problem at the parking lots in the city, but the civic body had a “soft corner” for the erring contractors in the past.

The MC has re-auctioned the parking lots including Feroze Gandhi Market, multi-level parking lot, Bhadaur House, BRS Nagar near the police station and Sarabha Nagar I Block. Now, the shopkeepers demand from the MC to form a committee comprising officials of the MC, police, representatives of NGOs and market associations of the area where parking lots are located so that the visitors don’t face any inconvenience.

Col Harjap Singh of Feroze Gandhi Market said, “We had been demanding monitoring committee for more than past six years, but none has been formed to keep a check on the violations at the parking lots till date. Now, we appeal to the current MC Commissioner to order to form a committee to keep a check on the violations.”

As per the conditions, the contractor will have to keep the fire lane vacant and spare minimum 20 feet space for entry and exit for the fire safety vehicle in the parking lot of Feroze Gandhi market. The non-compliance will lead to consequences as the contractor may have to pay heavy penalty/cancellation of the contract. Mostly contractors used to allow and charge fee for parking vehicles in the fire lane and the road portion by violating the norms.

Col Harjap Singh said, “Earlier, we used to complain against overcharging and unauthorised parking by contractors, but no action was taken against them. There is a dire need of monitoring committee. SHO of the police stations concerned, MC’s senior officials, market association representatives and residents should be part of the committee.”

Resident Gaganpreet Singh said, “The MC must display parking fee structure boards and display the name and contact numbers of the zonal commissioner concerned at all entry and exit points of parking lots. The MC should take immediate action against the violations.”

As per the tender conditions, the contractors are supposed to display rate list and install adequate number of CCTV cameras to connect the parking areas, including each entry and exit points. Besides, contractors are supposed to mark car and scooter lanes in the parking lots. They will have to ensure e-ticketing at the parking lots and ensure that the parking staff must wear proper uniform. — TNS