The Hindu       09.10.2014  

Encroachment of parking space a cause for concern in twin cities

Motorists will have to scramble for parking space in Hubli-Dharwad, and
parking vehicles on the pavements is a common phenomenon.—Photo: Kiran
Bakale

With parking lots in commercial complexes again being
encroached upon for running businesses, the problem of parking vehicles
in the twin cities has worsened in the last two years.

The
failure of the municipal corporation to take up the issue and the
increasing number of new vehicles has added to the problem.
Consequently, motorists have to scramble for parking space and often end
up parking on pavements.

Illegal structures

The
issue was taken up for the first time in 2005, along with that of
illegal structures in the twin cities when the then municipal
commissioner P. Manivannan initiated a phase-wise demolition drive to
clear encroachments.

Mr. Manivannan extended the
initiative through a ‘sealing drive’ against commercial buildings not
having completion certificates. He succeeded in getting basements of
many commercial complexes cleared for parking.

However,
after his departure, the alleged laxity of officials resulted in these
spaces being encroached upon again, which made Municipal Commissioner
K.V. Trilokchandra to initiate a drive against such encroachments in
2011.

Having served notice to over 260 buildings, Mr.
Trilokchandra succeeded in making several building owners clear the
encroachments on their own, while the rest were removed through a
demolition drive by the municipal corporation.

However,
with no strict adherence to building bylaws while issuing completion
certificates, several commercial complexes have come up with little
space allotted for parking. Discussions to keep a ‘regular squad’ to act
against encroachments have not materialised.

Displeasure

During
his visit to Hubli in February 2014, Upalokayukta Justice Subhash Adi
expressed displeasure over the issue and directed municipal officials to
clear encroachments over parking lots within a period of three months.
But barring a discussion on the issue in the HDMC council meeting,
nothing has be done.

Last month, while initiating a
cleanliness drive, Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Rajendra Cholan and
in-charge Municipal Commissioner C.W. Shakeel Ahmad promised to take up
an extensive drive. Till date, there have been no signs of it.

Municipal corporation yet to take up the issue

The number of vehicles has gone up too