Annoyed residents install chains to check parking in front of houses

Flouting the norms with impunity, flat owners opposite Khalsa College for Women in Ghumar Mandi have installed iron poles and chains to prohibit people from parking their vehicles in that particular lane.

The move came in the wake of the festive season as huge rush of customers is witnessed during these days and people coming for shopping often park their vehicles outside the flats. Interestingly, the particular area is not the private property of the flat owners. A prominent crockery house is located on this road and a huge rush is witnessed on this road. To stop visitors from parking their vehicles in the area, flat owners have done barricading by installing iron poles and metallic chains.

Shopkeepers often encroach upon the road to display their products which further leaves no space for the shoppers to park their vehicles.

“The problem of insufficient parking space in the markets has started surfacing once again with the festive season round the corner. However, what these flat owners have done is not at all acceptable. This is sheer violation of the rules,” said a nearby resident.

A flat owner, on the condition of anonymity, said the nearby shopkeepers encroach upon the entire road by getting the vehicles of the customers parked and they set up stalls outside on the roads. Even the gift packing is done on the roadside. “Left with no other option, this way has been adopted,” he said.

A customer who came for buying some stuff from this particular road said that it is not the only place where such problem exist.

“There is no parking space available in the city and markets, especially the older ones, are without any designated parking lots. Left with no other option, consumers are forced to park on the road outside the shops but the problem does not end here as the shopkeepers or nearby residents park their vehicles outside intentionally or put some huge stones to prohibit others from parking. Authorities should take strict action against the offenders,” said Prabhjot, a city resident.

When contacted in this regard, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said he is not aware of this but will get it check on priority. “Nobody can do barricading and encroach upon the road like this. It is completely against the law,” he said.