New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal today
banned parking in the city's Sarojini Nagar market and said
anyone found doing so would be liable to pay a fine of Rs
5,000.
The environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 would be in
addition to the fines mentioned under the Motor Vehicles Act,
a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar
declared.
The green panel directed shopkeepers and shoppers to park
their vehicles in the multi-level parking lot, constructed by
the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which will remain open
round-the-clock.
The tribunal also directed the NDMC to cancel the
contract of other contractors engaged in parking business in
the popular market area.
It directed the Delhi Traffic Police and the enforcement
department of the Delhi government to be present continuously
for two weeks near the multi-level parking lot and ensure
compliance of its directions.
"It is conceded before us by the NDMC that the multi-
level parking was constructed at high expenditure. But the
parking lot has remained empty and the shopkeepers and the
customers were parking their vehicles on the road causing
heavy traffic congestion," the bench said.
The contractors of the Corporation, it said, were making
money at the cost of the environment and even preventing
people from parking their vehicles in the multi-level parking
lot.
"The huge investment by the public authorities was being
wasted and serious air pollution is being caused."
The NGT directed the Corporation to consider decreasing
parking fees for shopkeepers who live in the same area and
directed the NDMC to notify the parking rates by Monday.
