MC faces flak for ignoring govt vehicles ‘dumped’ at Sec 17 parking

Located near state offices such as the Telephone Bhawan, Punjab Excise and Taxation Commission, the Employees Provident Fund and the Reserve Bank of India; the area witnesses a heavy flow of traffic.

The civic authorities, meanwhile, seemed to be laid back. “About 15- 20 days back, we had checked the compound for security measures. As such we had not found any vehicles. Since the parking is free for all, we cannot remove any vehicles from the area. There is a possibility that the authorities of Punjab Food and Supply had left them there for auction. We will make a list of these licensed vehicles and send queries to the concerned departments. I will have to examine the matter for details,” said Sarita Malik, Joint Commissioner of the MC.

Later, a response from the civic body stated, “We have cross-examined the matter. The vehicles kept in the basement are discontinued vehicles belonging to the Punjab Industrial Department, which may be subject to an auction in the future.”

However, people using the parking every day hold the civic body accountable. “Some of these vehicles have been here for more than a year and have been left here to become obsolete. This is evident from the dirt, rust and cobwebs on them. The people directly responsible for these are unknown. The multi-level parking nearby is aggravating the problem as it is under construction, thereby leading to heavy influx of vehicles in the area,” said Vijay Kumar Sharma, General Secretary of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation.

“There is no restriction or any ceremonial incharge overseeing the functioning. Inscrutably, a few of the parking spots are even reserved by a private taxi company which operates from here,” Sharma added.