Locals reluctant to use vacant plots as parking spaces fearing encroachment & land fraud
Friday, 11 August 2023 | PURNIMA BISHT | DEHRADUN
People of Dehradun are reluctant to use their vacant plots or space as public parking lots as part of the district administration’s initiative to increase the parking area fearing encroachment and land fraud. Many also suspect that once they use their vacant property as a temporary public parking lot, authorities might pressurise them to convert the place permanently into a parking zone. Considering the rising traffic congestion in various parts of the city due to the lack of sufficient parking space, the district magistrate Sonika had issued an order in April that locals can use their vacant plots or space as public parking spaces without seeking any permission from any authorities concerned.
The interested locals were asked to approach the traffic police office if they need any kind of assistance regarding the plan. In a month, 13 parking lots were started under this scheme in seven locations of Dehradun including three lots at Bypass Road, two each at Transport Nagar and General Mahadev Singh (GMS) Road and one each at Rajpur, Lalpul and East Canal Road. However, there is no significant change in the number of parking lots in the past three months. The authorities are also disappointed as they expected this plan would be a great success. The traffic police even launched Uttarakhand’s first app-based smart parking management system in association with the Park+ company to make it easy for locals to offer their vacant land as public parking spaces without the involvement of any officer. However, this initiative also did not help in increasing the number of interested locals. Also, authorities have not started any awareness programmes to raise awareness among locals to address their apprehensions and fear.
The superintendent of police (traffic) Sarvesh Panwar told this correspondent that many locals are apprehensive to offer their land or empty space in fear of encroachment on their property despite repeated assurance from authorities. “This is one of the major issues we are currently facing in the proper execution of this plan. We are considering to start raising awareness among locals. Also, a number of commuters parking their vehicles in 13 parking lots created under this plan are also not being used as per their capacity. Many still park their vehicles on the roadside giving excuses like they are going just for a few minutes. We consistently impose penalties on such violators. I appeal to the people to park their vehicles in parking lots or they will be charged hefty fines,” said the SP.
