Vehicular rush chokes parking lots at Mohali markets

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 26

Though the shifting of the District Administrative Complex from Phase I and the District Courts Complex from Phase 3B1 has given a much needed-relief to city residents, they still feel the pinch of parking blues at several places.

The problem persists at markets of Phases I, V (Amrit Bakery block), VII (in front of Chawla Hospital), IX and XI and the area in front of Fortis Hospital and the Punjab School Education Board building. The new site of the District Courts Complex in Sector 76 is also among the areas where the problem remains. “Undoubtedly, the shifting of the two most important complexes has given the much-needed relief to the residents but this is not the end of the problem. You can’t find a place to park your vehicles in busy markets of the city,” said Satinder Singh, a local resident.

“Usually, four-wheeler owners do not find enough space to park their vehicles at the Phase I market. Moreover, haphazard parking adds to woes of the visitors,” he added.

The story is no different, particularly during afternoon and evening hours, at other busy markets. Another local resident, Suman Verma, regretted that in the absence of proper parking spaces, people are forced to park their vehicles on roads.

“Haphazard parking of vehicles on roads leads to chaos. Despite efforts by the local police, the problem persists in front of Fortis Hospital,” said Suman Verma.

NS Rangi, a local advocate, said the authorities were least bothered about the problem in front of the new District Courts Complex. “There is no parking lot for the pubic and advocates, forcing us to park our cars on the main road. Everyday, our cars are damaged due to minor accidents. Despite several requests to the authorities concerned, nobody seems bothered about it,” said Rangi.