Mohali Phase 3-A market turns parking lot for private buses

Harshabab Sidhu

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Mohali, February 6

The Phase 3-A of Mohali has literally turned into a parking lot for luxury buses of heavyweights. No one from the authorities concerned dares to take action against them.

Private bus operators have been parking their buses illegally in front of Phase 3-A market and on the road too. Despite warning by the Municipal Corporation (MC) and Deputy Commissioner (DC), the practice is going on unabated for the past many years. Around six to seven buses can be spotted in the parking area of the Phase 3-A market. Another two to three giant buses can be seen on the main road in front of the market.

This illegal parking of private buses continues to create chaos on the road as the administration and the traffic police have failed to take any strict action against violations. Traders and commuters are facing inconvenience as most of the times buses remain parked outside their shops and tea stalls.

“These buses remain parked here throughout the day. In the early morning, the number of buses is even more. These buses hide my tea stall, which affects my earnings. Moreover, water that accumulates near my stall after buses are washed also creates trouble,” said a tea vendor.

These huge buses occupy a lot of space on the road thus hindering the smooth flow of traffic. These buses travel to Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jammu, Udaipur, Pathankot and other major cities. According to sources, bus operators are political heavyweights.

Transporters, who own these buses, have no permission from the MC or the RTA (Regional Transport Authority) for parking their vehicles in markets. Their workers wash and clean buses along roadside during the daytime, which results in wastage of water.

“We have warned bus operators several times not to park their vehicles on the road and in the parking space too, but they have not stopped this practice. The police are not taking any action against them,” said Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan.

“We face inconvenience daily while going to the Phase 3-A petrol pump as most space on the road is occupied by these buses. Officials of the traffic police should challan bus operators. The MC should provide some alternative space to operators for parking buses. Road is not an appropriate place for parking buses,” said Rajwinder, a daily commuter.

Sukhwinder Kumar, RTA secretary, said, “I will look into the issue soon. The land belongs to the MC. Our department has not given any permit to transporters.”

Kamal Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, said, “I will inquire into the matter soon.”