The Times of India 04.12.2009
Lack of parking enforcement puts residents in a fix
CHENNAI: For the last two months, advocate TSG Sekar hasn't taken his car out of his home on Second Cross Street in Raja Annamalaipuram. Reason? Many private cars have hijacked the carriageway and maneuvering the vehicle out is an ordeal.
"Ironically, the cars are owned by officials of Chennai Metro Rail Project, who are involved in a project aimed at mitigating the sufferings of hundreds of people," he said. The entire Second Cross Street has been hijacked by vehicles of government officials and those of residents of neighbouring areas. Every inch of abutting road-space has been converted into an impromptu parking lot.
A lack of enforcement by varions government agencies, including the Chennai Corporation, has compounded the problem.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) says its job ends with certifying a construction as per the Development Control Rules requirements. "We oversee the construction and it is for the traffic police and the corporation authorities to check for violations," says a senior official. "A hike in parking fee, say Rs 500 per day, could help," he adds.
The CMDA's First and Second Master Plans clearly stipulate the parking requirements for owners as well as visitors.
In case of residential use, the builder has to provide one-car space for every two dwelling units in a floor area measuring between 50 sq m and 75 sqm and one-car space for every 75 sqm. In commercial buildings, space for one car and one two-wheeler for every 50 sqm is required to be provided. Besides, 10% of the total floor area has to be earmarked for visitors' vehicles. Very few adhere to these rules.
Builders, on their part, blame buyers for not looking into these issues before making the purchase. "The fault is not with the officials and builders. The problem lies with the people," says T Chitty Babu, chairman of Akshya Homes. "Builders should earmar space for car parking before selling a flat but buyers, too, should be aware of the provisions of the development control rules."
According to corporation commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, the civic body is striving to regulate the haphazard parking in various areas. "Taxis pose a bigger threat to road-users than individuals grabbing public spaces. We have introduced automated parking meters in three areas to check out the system," he says. The corporation has no plans to hike the parking fee in the immediate future.
"Ironically, the cars are owned by officials of Chennai Metro Rail Project, who are involved in a project aimed at mitigating the sufferings of hundreds of people," he said. The entire Second Cross Street has been hijacked by vehicles of government officials and those of residents of neighbouring areas. Every inch of abutting road-space has been converted into an impromptu parking lot.
A lack of enforcement by varions government agencies, including the Chennai Corporation, has compounded the problem.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) says its job ends with certifying a construction as per the Development Control Rules requirements. "We oversee the construction and it is for the traffic police and the corporation authorities to check for violations," says a senior official. "A hike in parking fee, say Rs 500 per day, could help," he adds.
The CMDA's First and Second Master Plans clearly stipulate the parking requirements for owners as well as visitors.
In case of residential use, the builder has to provide one-car space for every two dwelling units in a floor area measuring between 50 sq m and 75 sqm and one-car space for every 75 sqm. In commercial buildings, space for one car and one two-wheeler for every 50 sqm is required to be provided. Besides, 10% of the total floor area has to be earmarked for visitors' vehicles. Very few adhere to these rules.
Builders, on their part, blame buyers for not looking into these issues before making the purchase. "The fault is not with the officials and builders. The problem lies with the people," says T Chitty Babu, chairman of Akshya Homes. "Builders should earmar space for car parking before selling a flat but buyers, too, should be aware of the provisions of the development control rules."
According to corporation commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, the civic body is striving to regulate the haphazard parking in various areas. "Taxis pose a bigger threat to road-users than individuals grabbing public spaces. We have introduced automated parking meters in three areas to check out the system," he says. The corporation has no plans to hike the parking fee in the immediate future.
