The Times of India              15.11.2010 

Lack of parking sense troubles cops

NAGPUR: On Saturday, traffic on busy Cotton Market junction was affected badly when a car driver stopped in middle of the road to speak on his mobile phone. This once again exposed lack of even basic courtesy among city drivers.

"Later, we penalised the driver for obstructing the traffic, but it is a serious matter that motorists lack even basic traffic sense specially about how and where to stop and park their vehicles," said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sahebrao Patil.

"It seems the drivers have not learnt anything from a special drive launched by the traffic police in which a number of vehicles parked in the no parking zones were booked," he said. In the last six years, the motorists in the city have paid Rs 2.50 crore as fines to traffic cops for parking in wrong places.

Among the 28 traffic violation cases, parking related ones are increasing the fastest. Of a total 2.43 lakh cases booked this year till October 31, there were 48,719 cases of parking violations. The traffic police netted Rs 52.95 lakh in the form of penalties for these. In 2009, the had booked 41,815 persons for parking their vehicles in no-parking zones and collected Rs 45.52 lakh fines. In 2008, 53,648 motorists were challaned for wrong parking and a fine of Rs 58.45 lakh was collected. In 2007 and 2006, 44,890 and 43,193 motorists were fined for wrong parking. The traffic police had also recovered Rs 48.10 lakh and Rs 44.62 lakh from them respectively.

Unmindful of inconvenience to other road users, people often park their vehicles on the carriageway. This happense specially near bus stops, at sweet shops, or at dozen other locations. Interestingly, caution boards clearly stating 'No Parking' do not appear to deter the violators. Visit any areas in the city and the situation is same, DCP said. He said Nagpurians were reluctant to walk even short distances and wanted to park their cars right in front of shop they want to enter. If they were willing to drive 50-100 metres on either side, they could find a proper parking place.

Motorists, however, blame Nagpur Municipal Corporation and other government agencies for the chaotic situation. Swank malls, multiplexes and sprawling parks are all happening in Nagpur. But what they all lacked was enough parking places, thus leading to chaos on the main roads, said a businessman from Sitabuldi main road. Corporation officials and traffic police should take stern action against builders not providing adequate parking in complexes, said Arjun Roy, a resident of Trimurti Nagar.

Raju Wagh, a social activist and a traffic expert, felt that though the traffic cops were patting their backs for the ever rising 'challan' (fine) figures every year, they have failed to instil basic road sense, which could greatly help in easing the traffic chaos. The DCP, however, countered that his department also focused on preventing motorists from parking at no-parking zones to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic. Experts warned that the situation would get worse with ever increasing vehicle population, particularly four-wheelers. The problem must be addressed soon, they said.