Transport dept to look into illegal parking in capital

TO TACKLE the problem of illegal parking on the capital’s roads, the transport department has been appointed the nodal agency to look into the issue and suggest measures to improve the same. The directions were issued by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal during a meeting on Wednesday with various departments responsible for parking in the city. The department has been asked to submit a report to the L-G within two weeks.

According to officials, illegal parking has emerged as one of the major reasons for traffic snarls in the city, which in turn contributes to air pollution.

“Along with the transport department, the three corporations andtrafficpolicealsoneedtopitch in with ideas to solve the problem,”saidanofficial.whilethedepartment has been asked to focus on finding a long-term solution, government sources said it will take stock of existing parking lots and which ones are lying unused.

Another issue that was discussedwasthehikeinparkingfee, said officials. “Surface parking fee needs to be hiked to discourage people from parking on roads. Instead,parkingfeeformulti-level parking and automated parking canbereducedtoencouragepeople to use such facilities,” said a source. Sources also said the department will look into commercial and goods vehicles and their parking slots, as well as parking spaces for buses on roads. Suggestions were also made to penalise those who allow illegal parking. “It is necessary to resolve the parking issue which is becoming worse each day. It will also bring clarity in the roles each department would play when it comes to policies related to parking,” said a source.