The Hindu 14.12.2010
MLA manhandles GHMC official
Special Correspondent
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Town planning wing to go on mass causal leave as protest |
GHMC, Traffic Police crack down on commercial establishments lacking adequate parking space
MLA swears at official, drags him by the collar when a bakery is being shut as part of the drive
HYDERABAD: The GHMC’s entire town planning wing has decided to go on a
mass casual leave from Tuesday demanding that Congress (Jubilee Hills)
MLA P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy apologise for allegedly manhandling and
abusing an Assistant City Planner (ACP) on Monday.
Drive
Mr. Reddy caught hold of the shirt collar of ACP Ramesh Babu when he
and his colleagues were closing down a bakery at S.R. Nagar as part of
the ongoing drive taken up jointly by GHMC and Traffic Police to crack
down on commercial establishments lacking adequate parking space on the
directions of the High Court and Lok Ayukta.
Political intervention
Senior officials charged that Mr. Reddy, along with his followers
rushed to a bakery on his bike, dragged Mr. Babu by his collar using
abusive language and forced the municipal staff to open a closed shop.
In fact, Mr. Reddy only joins a dubious list of political bigwigs
intervening to prevent Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and
Traffic Police from acting tough against the identified 196 commercial
establishments lacking parking space and cellar violations in some of
the busiest roads. Roadside parking was causing traffic bottlenecks at
these spots.
Measures
Following orders by the High Court and Lok Ayukta, GHMC had issued
notices to them in August last to take up immediate temporary measures
and gave 60 days’ time for permanent steps to provide parking space.
In between, a city Minister, son of a local MP and Majlis leaders
stalled any drastic action being taken against big establishments,
forcing authorities to punish the small fry.
Traffic problems
As per municipal rules, every commercial building should have 40 per
cent of the built up area earmarked for parking and senior officials
point out that road widening alone cannot ease the traffic problems
unless illegal parking is tackled.
“We are really keen on shutting down a couple of high-profile
commercial establishments to send a strong message and had identified 37
notorious ones, but are unable to do so despite standing court orders,”
admitted senior officials.
