Delhi HC notice to MCD for not complying with its order on parking

The Delhi High Court today issued show cause notice to senior officials of North MCD and Delhi Police, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for not complying with its order over parking issues in Karol Bagh area here.

The court issued notices to the deputy commissioner of the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the deputy commissioner of police (crime), having jurisdiction over Karol Bagh.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said that it was a fit case for issuance of show cause notice to the officials to explain why contempt action be not initiated against them for not complying with its November 22 last year order.

The bench listed the matter for July 30 for further hearing in the case.

The court had asked the officials to ensure that the illegalities are not permitted.

It was hearing a petition filed by Neena Narang, a resident of the area, regarding problems created on account of parking in almost three out of four lanes in one direction on the roads in Karol Bagh, leaving only a single lane for the movement of traffic.

Advocate Satyajit Sarna, appearing for the petitioner said that after the court's November order, the authorities had initially tried to comply with the directions but later on the position remained the same.

The petitioner had earlier shown some photographs to the court to illustrate the terrible situation and the fact that the pavements were being used for parking vehicles and unloading the goods.

Even the dealers of motorcycles had parked the vehicles earmarked for sale on almost 3/4th of the road, it had said.

The petition had complained about the traffic chaos due to unauthorised parking and widespread encroachment by local shopkeepers.

"Hundreds of cars and vehicles are being parked haphazardly, both under the monitoring of the corporation and otherwise. As a result, over half of the area of major roads has become de facto parking, and constricted the road for vehicles which are plying," it had claimed.

It had also alleged that shops and godown owners in the area have trucks and commercial vehicles parked on the street for loading and unloading of goods at all times of the day despite specific orders from various authorities, including the National Green Tribunal.