Notice to hospitals, malls for violating free parking order

NEW DELHI : The South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s standing committee has asked its officials for a report within seven days on action taken against malls and hospitals that continue to charge parking fees from visitors.

Standing committee chairman Bhupender Gupta said that despite repeated directions, malls and hospital owners in SDMC’S jurisdiction are violating orders to provide free parking. He advised sealing action, if required in the future.

“These establishments are indiscriminately misusing the properties for commercial purposes. The fact is that the floor area ratio (FAR) in malls and private hospitals was enhanced with a rider that they will provide free parking in the basement to the visitors,” he said.

“But most of the malls and private hospitals have been violating the terms and conditions of their enhanced FAR orders,” he said.

During the meeting, deputy commissioner, central zone, said notices under section 345 A (for misuse of site and unauthorised construction) had been issued to 13 out of 17 violators. In west zone, notices have been issued to 20 malls and hospitals.

The violators have been given three days to reply or else face sealing action.

In 2015, the civic agency had passed a resolution for the first time, making parking at private hospitals and malls free.

Congress councillor from Andrews Ganj, Abhishek Dutt also demanded action against commercial activities the basements and public spaces in and around the malls.

“These kiosks are set up in open spaces and galleries meant for walking. The issue was raised in the previous meetings as well,” he said.

Gupta asked the licensing department to take strict action against commercial use in the basements. He directed the zones to submit a detailed report on this issue in a week to enable the SDMC to take urgent action.

More than 100 private hospitals are running in areas in the SDMC’S jurisdiction, said Gupta.

ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL MEAT SHOPS

On the directions of the standing committee, intensive drives were carried in all four zones against illegal meat shops operating in its areas. “During the drive 106 illegal meat shops were sealed while 159 were challaned from June to mid October,” said senior official from the department.