HC directs police, Corporation to take joint survey of parking needs

The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Corporation and the city police to jointly conduct a survey, as a test case, in the areas concerned in order to find out the traffic flow and the requirements for car parking for restaurants, eateries and commercial establishments given in a petition.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M.M. Sundresh, passed the interim order on a PIL petition seeking a direction to the authorities to close down restaurants and eateries which were located in crowded and narrow roads without parking facilities.

The Bench expressed complete dissatisfaction over the counter filed by the Chennai Police “which neither places the picture at the ground level nor suggests any solution other than the most convenient one.” The Deputy Commissioner of Chennai Corporation, who was present in the court, said that the licensing authority did not verify the requirement of car parking which would arise as a consequence of the licence being issued. The Bench said that for any commercial establishment, a suitable parking facility was necessary. It was of the view that before issuing such licences, availability of car parking facility should be ensured.

The court said the police and the civic body should jointly conduct a survey as a test case in the area, the traffic flow and requirement of car parking after verifying the footfalls in the restaurants and other commercial shops and work out where the vehicles could be parked. (normally such an exercise should be undertaken throughout the city), it said.

A comprehensive report should be placed before the court with the area plan, photographs, appropriate suggestions and the action to be taken to remedy the position.

The judges said their endeavour was to find a working solution to the problem of car parking and not to shut down the restaurants.

They added that since a submission had been made that there was some disturbance due to Metrorail work, both long- and short-term measures should be considered.

The needful should be done within eight weeks. The officers concerned should be present again to assist the court on the next hearing date, March 31.

Bench expresses dissatisfaction over the counter filed by Chennai Police