Coming down heavily on shopkeepers at Sarojini Nagar Market who had pleaded before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to allow parking of vehicles on the road, the green panel on Friday directed that all vehicles are to be parked at the multi-level parking that has been built by the New Delhi Municipal Council.
Multi-level parking lot
A Bench headed by NGT head Justice Swatanter Kumar said: “We find this request not only opposed to environment protection but without any substance as well. The shop owners as well as the customers coming to the market are parking their cars on the roads, causing heavy traffic congestion.”
From November 20 onwards, all cars have to be parked at the designated multi-level parking, “not only to reduce the traffic congestion, but also to reduce the undue burning of petrol and diesel,” said the NGT.
₹5,000 fine
The panel added that an environmental compensation of ₹5,000 per violation would be imposed.
“This will be in addition to the traffic challan that the authorities concerned would enforce in accordance with law. Open area should be declared as no-parking and tow-away zones,” said the Bench.
The NGT directed the Delhi Traffic Police and the corporations to be present at the site for two weeks to supervise the implementation of the orders.
The Tribunal observed that the multi-level parking lot, which has a capacity to hold 800 cars, has remained unused for years. “Huge investment made by the public authorities is being wasted, while serious air pollution is resulting from the congestion of traffic,” noted the Bench.
