04 January,2011 08:42 AM IST | | Shashank Shekhar
Cops begin drive against stationary vehicles that encroach upon road space
If you are one of those who feel using the fringes of the road as parking space is all right then here's a wake-up call for you. Amitabh Yash, Senior Superintendent of Police, Noida, has launched a drive against illegal parking following his New Year resolution to improve living conditions in the satellite township. As a result, vehicles that are improperly parked are being towed away by cops.
Strings attached: Improper parking of vehicles leads to traffic chaos,
especially in peak hours. Pic/Mid Day
"We were getting a lot of complaints so we planned this drive. While traveling I saw cars parked illegally outside offices, blocking the road and creating jams. So I immediately called the traffic police which towed away the vehicless," said Amitabh Yash.
The SSP also claims that this move will set an example and solve the traffic woes in the area. "We will continue with such drives and no one will be spared. It is very important to keep a check on transport conditions in the city. By parking cars on the road during peak hours these people were choking traffic movement," he added.
Residents of Noida have given a thumbs-up to the move.
"Over the years, the problem of space crunch on roads because of illegal parking has assumed alarming proportions because of the lack of planning. This will definitely set an example if the top cop himself starts prosecuting people," said Harsh Sharma, a local resident In fact many households these days own as many as three cars and these pile on to the vehicles used BPOs and IT firms to ferry their workers.
A large number of vehicles belonging to these companies can be seen parked haphazardly mostly on roads in sectors 16, 3, 24, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62. Despite the fact that authorised parking spaces have been allocated, patches of green belts are being used by these vehicles, illegally, for parking.The promises by Noida authority to solve parking woes have borne no fruit as the plans haven't been implemented properly.
"First they thought of multi-level parking, then another parking plan and later underground parking, but the fact remains that no initiative has been taken till now by the authority. Either, the work has started and is going on at a snail's pace or it has not started at all. " said Prateek Sinha, a sector 15 resident.
| Card tricks |
| From January 1 those who need to park their vehicles at the Palika parking lot in Connaught Place are being given a pre-paid card that can be swiped at the gates for entry and exit. Depending on the hours of usage, the users will be charged. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has installed electronic parking guidance and management system under which drivers will be guided to exact spots that are vacant. Regular users will be given swipe cards instead of tokens that will have to be recharged on a monthly basis. The move will also reduce |
