Ban on road parking: Lajpat Nagar Traders move NGT

Days after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned parking of cars on metalled roads, local traders here today approached the tribunal seeking permission for single lane parking till alternative parking site was provided.
"Association of the traders having shops at Lajpat Nagar Central Market and its members are directly affected by the arbitrary manner in which South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) is giving effect the Tribunal's order by cancelling all parking contracts of Lajpat Nagar without providing for alternative parking spaces," they claimed in their plea.
"The shopkeepers at Lajpat Nagar are willing to give full cooperation for effective implementation of the orders of the Tribunal and have also deputed volunteers at strategic points to ensure smooth vehicular traffic but the authorities are creating confrontational environment by wrongfully implementing the orders of the Tribunal," the alleged.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar refused to pass any order and said the police, municipal corporation, shopkeepers and residents should arrive at a consensus in resolving a way out.
The matter is posted the matter for further hearing on February 9.
"Direct SDMC, Traffic Police and SHO Lajpat Nagar police station to allow as an ad-interim measure single lane parking within yellow line on the metalled road till alternative parking site is provided for parking of vehicles within Lajpat Nagar Central Market," the traders body said in their petition.

During the hearing, advocate Pooja Kalra, appearing for SDMC told the Tribunal that they were implementing the ban order in entirety and the corporation has taken full measures that there is no parking on the metalled roads.

Earlier, the Tribunal had imposed a complete ban on parking of cars on the metalled roads in the national capital and directed that any violation would lead to a fine of Rs 1,000.
It had also directed Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh markets to be considered pilot projects for implementing the ban while hearing a petition of Vardhaman Kaushik against air pollution in the city.