Lajpat Nagar doesn't need hospitals but parking lot first: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has slammed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) for sitting over a proposal to build a multi-level parking facility in Lajpat Nagar area for over four months.
"It's shocking the way you people talk. Lajpat Nagar doesn't need any more hospitals. There are already several big hospitals in the area. If you want to build a hospital then make arrangements for parking first," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The observations came after the municipal corporation informed the bench about its plans to construct a 100-bed hospital in the area. On the issue of construction of the multi-level parking, the corporation said it was yet to identify a site.

The bench pulled the corporation for its lackadaisical approach in the matter while directing it to file an affidavit by April 17 stating as to which place in Lajpat Nagar they would build the multi-level parking.
The green panel directed SDMC and PWD to place cement Jersey Barriers at both the ends of the road in the Lajpat Nagar market.
"There shall be no crossing permitted from one end to the road and another end of the road," it said.

During the hearing, the tribunal was informed that the temporary parking space provided by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) can accommodate nearly 550 cars which would has provided a great relief to the traffic congestion in Lajpat Nagar.

It ordered DUSIB to continue the arrangement and directed the police authorities to ensure that all the directions issued by the tribunal regarding de-congestion of traffic so that minimum emissions from vehicular pollution is caused.
The green bench asked Central Pollution Control Board to place on record ambient air quality analysis of Lajpat Nagar and post its orders.
The tribunal had earlier directed authorities to hold a meeting and identify the places where parking can be permitted while ensuring that the greenery of the area is not adversely affected and no inconvenience is caused to the residents of Lajpat Nagar.

It had also pulled up the Municipal Corporation for "sitting over" Rs 120 crore given to it by Lajpat Nagar shopkeepers in 2006 for construction of parking areas.