Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 10: The High Court has endorsed the categories of parking spaces proposed by the Government for general public and issued notice to the Secretary Ministry of Transport Government of India seeking policy for registration of vehicles in J&K lacking parking spaces.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice D S Thakur after the perusal of status report on tackling with the day today traffic mess in Srinagar city and its adjoining areas approved the category of parking plans proposed by the committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir with Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Vice-Chairman SDA, Commissioner SMC, Chief Engineer PWD Kashmir, SSP Srinagar, Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, SP Traffic city Srinagar and SP Traffic Rural.
The committee has categorized the parking plans in four categories viz existing parking, development of parking slots, road side parking and private open land parking and declared them A, B, C and D Category respectively. For Category A, Rs 20 has been fixed per hour, Rs 30 has been fixed for per day on monthly parking for category B and Rs 100 were fixed for category C parking on daily basis.
DB has directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu also to implement the directions in Jammu parking slots on the same analogy and regulate the paid parking slots in the same manner. Court, however, made it clear that no roadside parking shall be available for day and monthly basis while as the authorities make it available for the hourly basis parking.
Divisional Commissioner during a meeting has showed 7 parking spaces in category-A, 31 parking spaces in category-B and 25 parking spaces in category-C. Court directed the authorities for procuring electronic machines in these parking spaces in order to record the date and time of parking of vehicles. Court with regard to development of parking slots directed the authorities to expedite the execution of work on these parking slots and report the court.
Asking about the policy with regard to registration of vehicles which are lacking private parking spaces, the Government counsel answered in negative and informed the court since the erstwhile State has been declared as J&K and Ladakh UT and the same comes under the control of Centre as there is not policy in vogue with J&K Government.
Court in view of the submissions arrayed Ministry of Transport Government of India through its Secretary and issued notice to him which has been waived by the Union Counsel for filing of response indicating therein as to whether there is any policy on the issue. The Government of J&K was under direction to formulate a policy with regard to regulate the registration of the vehicles by imposing condition in the registration norms to the extent of asking the owner who intends to have vehicle registered with the transport authority for availability of parking at his (owner’s) residence.
With regard to opening of CNG outlets, a report has been filed and after its perusal Court observed the same is not in tune with the directions of the court and directed for filing of fresh one by or before next date of hearing. Awaiting the decision of the Government on notifying the policy on the above lines, court said it is the responsibility of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to ensure that all the roads, are made free from parking.
Imposing complete ban on 15-25-year-old commercial vehicles, the authorities have submitted that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has launched a scheme under the name “Transport Subsidy Scheme for replacement of 15-year-old vehicles (Buses and Mini Buses)” and the owner of the bus or mini bus who is willing to replace his 15 years old vehicle can avail the benefit of 5 lakh rupees subsidy and so far 71 of such owners have applied under the scheme.
Court further directed to implement on ground the scheme by giving a wide publicity in the print and electronic media so that people come to know about it and avail the benefit. “The compliance report must indicate in detail as to what steps have been taken and what is status of introducing the e-Rickshaws in the Jammu and Srinagar Cities”, read the order.
“All the parking places and sites including the ones already designated be conspicuously indicated as parking sites by erecting signage. The prominent signages be erected near the cross roads so that the commuters do not experience any inconvenience while travelling to their destinations”, said the conclusion of minutes of meeting.
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