The Times of India  16.11.2010

LUCKNOW: No more parking of vehicles at Janpath Market in Hazratganj. Two days after Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) issued a notification cancelling all the parking contracts in the market, the order was put to force on Monday.

But as it turned out, contractors continued to make the vehicles park around the market, much to the embarrassment of LDA enforcement wing as well as the traffic authorities.

LDA, in its notification issued on November 13, cancelled all the parking contracts in Janpath, even though allowing parking of government vehicles in and around Darul Shafa. The notification cited the multi-level parking lot being operational in Hazratganj as the reason for cancelling the parking contract.

While LDA vice-chairman, Mrityunjay Narain could not be contacted, a senior official said that contracts were cancelled with immediate effect. "Vehicles would be challaned in case they are parked in Janpath,'' the official said.

Parking of vehicles in Janpath had suddenly soared after Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) got the parking lots in Hazratganj cancelled. In fact, it was not only Janpath but also around Darul Shafa that the number had swelled considerably.

The cancellation of the parking lot in Janpath set a commotion around the market as scores of commuters moved in to park their vehicles. Essentially they were not aware of the multi-level parking lot getting operational in Hazratganj.

The confusion further aggravated the traffic chaos in the locality as some vehicles got parked along the Hazratganj stretch much to the embarrassment of traffic and civic authorities. LMC in a statement issued on Monday evening said that as many as seven vehicles illegally parked in Hazratganj and Lalbagh area were crane-lifted.