Indian Express 26.04.2010
Police allow Khan Market visitors to park on nearby road
Hamari Jamatia Tags : khan market parking case, delhi Posted: Tuesday , Apr 27, 2010 at 0108 hrs
New Delhi: Shoppers driving to Khan Market are in for some respite with regard to parking as the Delhi Police temporarily allowed parking on the sides of Subramania Bharati Marg starting Saturday.
The decision comes after repeated complaints of shortage of parking space due to the ongoing renovation work, undertaken by the New Delhi Municipal Council, at the market.
While this is a temporary arrangement, traders have been demanding a permanent solution to the parking troubles as the market has witnessed sharp increase in the number of shoppers in the recent years.
On Thursday evening, some officials of the Delhi Police visited the area and permission was granted to use the road from Khan Market’s gate to Ravinder Nagar traffic light. Due to the renovation work, the parking space in the market has shrunk from being able to accommodate 500 cars to 400.
President of the Khan Market Traders Association Sanjiv Mehra said the temporary parking area is being used only by the traders, leaving the market’s parking lot vacant for shoppers. “We stay here all day. It does not matter if our car is parked a little far off. But customers are here for short errands and it will be easier for them if they can park near the shops,” he said.
In the last three years, the parking problem has increased manifold in the market after permission was granted to convert the residential flats on the top floor of the two-storey buildings to commercial establishments. Now, most of the 74 flats on top floors have been converted to food joints. This has led to increased visitors to the market, resulting in more cars.
The traders association has for long been asking for a multi-level parking near the market. Mehra said there is a small plot near the Bible Bhavan on Amrita Shergill Marg that can be used to build a multi-level parking.
“Parking at the SB Marg will be a temporary thing. We need a permanent solution to the problem. Even the Supreme Court had said that when residential property is converted to commercial establishment, proper infrastructure has to be put in place for parking,” Mehra said.
