Sector 17 parking lots to be fully automated

Kaushal apprised the division bench that a decision has been taken at the recently held F&CC meeting that the Sector 17 parking would have fully automated parking lots and parking fees would be charged on an hourly basis. Appreciating the decision taken,the division bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ajay Tewari asked the UT Administration to consider earmarking spaces for senior citizens in Sector 17.

The suggestion was made by the division bench after the issue of making Sector 17 a vehicle-free zone was raised again. Amicus curiae Reeta Kohli submitted a report today giving suggestions to ease the parking chaos in Sector 17. The Bench asked Sanjay Kaushal to consider earmarking special spaces for senior citizens or to make alternative arrangements for senior citizens visiting Sector 17.

Kaushal also apprised the Bench that two underground parking lots have been made functional by the Chandigarh Administration and have been handed over to the market committee. Kaushal added that owing to the downpour the difficulty of flooding of underground parking is being tackled. He said that lights have been put up in the underground parking areas and they will be spruced up.

Kaushal said that tenders have been received for multi-level parking. The Bench today reiterated its suggestion of trying on an experimental basis to make Sector 17 a vehicle-free zone for some days. The Bench orally remarked that if Councillors have any apprehensions that converting Sector 17 to a vehicle-free zone may have an adverse effect on their vote bank,then the apprehensions are “misplaced”. During the arguments,Kaushal also contended that the mind set of the local residents need to be changed as public transport in Chandigarh is not being fully utilised by the public.

Kaushal added that only half of the capacity of CTU buses is being used by the commuters. The High Court also asked the Chandigarh Administration to ensure that the rickshaw stands are not uprooted and are rather encouraged.