Explain steps taken to check illegal parking: Bombay HC tells BMC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has asked the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai police to file an affidavit, indicating what steps have been taken to prevent the parking of vehicles on busy roads at night or during the day which slows down the movement of traffic, including public transport.

The HC has also asked the BMC and police to indicate what steps have been taken to discipline taxi drivers and the fleet of taxis outside railway stations. The court in its recent order on illegal parking of vehicles said that “strict enforcement of the law and punishment for violators is necessary”.

A division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmad-hikari and Justice Riyaz Chagla was hearing a PIL filed by Techchand Khem-chandani. According to the petitioner, many two- and four- wheelers were seen illegally parked outside railway stations and busy markets which resulted in heavy traffic jams. The petitioner alleged that despite repeated complaints to the authorities, no one took action against these illegally parked vehicles.

The court noted that illegal parking or double parking was being done on busy roads beneath boards of “no parking”. No proper pick-up or drop points for cab drivers had been highlighted at railway stations. The court gave the example of CST and Churchgate railway stations.

The court said, “We have been regularly noticing that though there is a provision made for people to board taxis at Churchgate station, taxi drivers pick up passengers from any nook and corner.”

It further added, “Many cab drivers pick up passengers near the pavement at Asiatic Department Stores, and some of them even stop their vehicles in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. Therefore, strict enforcement of the law and punishment for violators is necessary.”

The court has kept the hearing on December 10.