The Indian Express                24.04.2013

MC tows away 14 two-wheelers parked wrongly in front of KVM

Going tough on wrongly parked vehicles in front of schools, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation on Tuesday picked 14 two-wheelers from streets and road in front of Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines. This school is located in one of the most congested areas of the city and traffic in front of its gate has proved to be dangerous for students in the past too.

Despite the school having its full-fledged two parking lots, some students cannot avail that facility and park vehicles on roads. Reason: the students bring cars and two-wheelers to school but without having learning licences.

Naveen Malhotra, superintendent, tehbazaari wing, who in the past had headed drives in front of BCM Arya Model, Shastri Nagar and then Guru Nanak Public School, told Ludhiana Newsline, "As many as 14 vehicles were confiscated near KVM and most of them belonging to students. Here the school is not at fault as they have their parking lots but these students do not have learning licences. Therefore, the school is right in not allowing them inside parking. It is the parents with whom the onus lies to make sure that their underage children do not drive on roads."

Malhotra reiterated that none of the schools would be spared if their staff or students parked vehicles wrongly and vehicles would be towed away.

On Tuesday, after the MC towed away 14 two-wheelers parked in front of KVM, the vehicle owners had to visit the MC godown at Cheeema Chowk to get their vehicles released by signing a compromise form and paying Rs 500 as fine for a two-wheeler and Rs 850 for a four-wheeler.

When contacted, KVM principal Navita Puri said, "My responsibility lies only for vehicles parked in school parking lots, and we have ample parking space to accommodate our vehicles. Students parking vehicles outside on roads have been told to do it at their risk as they do not have driving licences."