Violation of plans by multi-storeyed commercial buildings and apartments, according to a press release, was cited as the key reason for the parking problems in the city at a meeting of the Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) here on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, who presided over the meeting, promised a special meeting next month to find solutions to the problem.
He said there were several cases of failure of adherence to building plans. Multi-storeyed buildings were constructed in such a manner that they obliterated the difference between roads, footpaths and the land belonging to private parties. This affected the movement of traffic and aggravated the parking problem.
Mr. Ibrahim pointed out that as per rules, visitors’ vehicles should also be allowed into private apartments and this was insisted upon while building plans were approved. But apartments displayed sign boards saying visitors’ vehicles were not allowed. He termed this a violation of rules and asked MUDA officials to initiate action against this practice.
The Deputy Commissioner also pointed out that road development had not kept pace with the rate of increase of vehicles and parking facilities did not match the growth of the city.
Ganesh Karnik, MLC, said officials should ensure that buildings were constructed in compliance with the building plan, failure of which was to blame for the present state of affairs.
Ivan D’Souza, MLC, said the authorities should ascertain whether new buildings had required basic facilities and open spaces. Gokuldas Nayak, Joint Commissioner of Mangalore City Corporation, and Venugopal in-charge commissioner, MUDA, were present.
