NGT raps SDMC over parking of vehicles in Lajpat Nagar

The National Green Tribunal today rapped the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) for not effectively implementing its order on parking of vehicles at Lajpat Nagar market in South Delhi.
"If you don't have the intention of implementing our orders, then it can't be implemented. You can't shift the cap on somebody else. The decisions or the directions of the tribunal are to be executed as a decree of the civil court.
"We have enough powers to execute our orders. Don't push us to exercise those powers," a bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The observations came after the civic body claimed helplessness in executing the Tribunal's order to stop vehicles from being parked on metalled roads.

During the hearing, the municipal body said the offending vehicles were being seized but getting released from the courts. SDMC also sought orders to courts from the Tribunal in this regard.
Rejecting its contention, the Tribunal said "You cannot blame the courts. We can't issue order to magistrates as they deal with such vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act".

It directed SDMC, Delhi Police and traffic police to deliberate and come to a conclusion as to how the the ban order on parking can be implemented in a better way.
On the issue of construction of multi-level parking, the bench once again said there were many hospitals and clinics in the vicinity and questioned the need of 100-bed hospital in the area. It also summoned the in-charge of the hospital and Chief Engineer of SDMC to appear in person and inform the status of the hospital.

The municipal corporation plans to construct a 100-bed hospital in the area by upgrading the existing 30-bed dispensary.
During the proceedings, Chandni Chowk Vyapar Mandal moved an intervention application seeking compliance of directions issued by the Tribunal on March 16.
The traders body alleged that loading and unloading of goods was being carried out in the afternoon resulting in "total chaos" on the streets.