The Times of India                29.10.2013

Traffic police, NMC to inspect parking violations at commercial centres

NAGPUR: The city traffic police are planning a crack down on commercial buildings violating underground and basement parking norms. The violations are adding to parking problems on city roads, especially Wardha Road.

Confirming the development, assistant commissioner of police (traffic) M Gawade said the city traffic police branch along with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) town planning department will conduct a joint survey regarding parking problem on busy Wardha road. "Violation of parking norms by many commercial establishments is aggravating the problem," he said.

"Based on the survey, we will issue notices to violators to ensure that parking spaces as mentioned in the building sanction plan are created. Action will be initiated against violators," Gawade said.

According to building bylaws for city, a commercial building or a shopping centre must make parking arrangement for occupants and visitors. However, as the number of vehicles is increasing and business activities are growing, the norms have been blatantly violated, particularly at business centres.

"Some big commercial complexes along Wardha Road have inadequate space to accommodate visitors' vehicles. So, shoppers have no option but to park vehicles on the road. This creates traffic congestion. There is chaos on weekends when people flock to malls or visit multiplexes," he said.

The traffic police had asked all owners in business centres to ensure that vehicles are not parked on the street. "We seek cooperation from people as the issue is getting serious by the day," Gawade said.

Citizens said such drives are needed on regular basis to keep a check on violations. "There have been drives in the past too but they discontinued after some time without attainting the desired result. Unless there is a proper plan to tackle the city's traffic problem, we don't think one or two drives can bring any change," they said.