HC raps traffic police for unauthorised parking in GK-I

The Delhi High Court today pulled up the traffic police for allowing cars to be parked illegally on the pavement and roads in the posh south Delhi colony Greater Kailash-I here despite orders prohibiting such activity.

"What is visible is that you have not done your job," a bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar told the traffic police after seeing photographs of the area.

As per the photographs submitted on behalf of the petitioner, a 'no parking' sign made of cardboard was hanging from a tree and people were parking cars right underneath it.

According to the petitioner, the cars are being parked on the pavements and roads from 10 AM to 5 PM by people coming to the banks in the area and it was "virtually impossible" for residents there to walk on the footpath.
 

After perusing the photos, the bench told the traffic police to put policemen in the area, particularly two roads -- Hansraj Gupta Marg and Ekasur Vithi road -- and not just signboards.

It refused to accept the traffic police's plea for more time to clear the area, saying "show the will to do it. Do whatever it takes. Do not allow anyone to park there from tomorrow."

During the hearing, the traffic police said it has been taking action against illegally parked vehicles by towing them away and challaning the owners, but cars continued to be parked there.

The bench said if police were strict then it can stop illegal parking of vehicles, but if their attitude was 'chalta hai', then nothing will happen.

It said the same traffic police had cleared the vehicular congestion from Anand Vihar area within two days on the court's direction in a PIL related to air pollution in the city.

Thereafter, the traffic police assured the court that immediate action will be taken to ensure no one parks on the road or pavements and a status report will be filed soon.

The bench then listed the matter for hearing on April 19.

The court was hearing the plea of P V Kapur who has also sought removal of the commercial establishments like banks and showrooms from the area as it has lead to paucity in parking space for residents there apart from vehicular congestion.