As many as 280 vehicles were impounded and 750 challans were issued to offenders by authorities during a city-wide anti-encroachment drive on Monday against illegal parking of vehicles.
The three municipal corporations, along with Delhi Traffic Police on Monday, started enforcing the lieutenant-Governor’s decision to act promptly against illegal parking on major roads
Action against illegally parked vehicles all across the national Capital was ordered by Anil Baijal recently to deter people from parking their vehicles on major roads. Delhi Traffic Police has been facing problems in managing the traffic flow owing to the illegally parked vehicles on city roads, especially busy ones.
As many as 29 arterial stretches were recently identified to make these roads free from the encroachment and illegal parking, the SDMC said.
These stretches that have been made "no-tolerance" zones include Aurobindo Chowk-Andheria More, Chirag Delhi Crossing- Savitri Flyover, MB Road Cut-IGNOU Chowk, 11 Murti-Dhaula Kuan, ITO Chungi-Karkari More. Some of the other corridors that fall under the no- tolerance zones include stretches on MB Road, MG Road, GT Karnal Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Sardar Patel Marg and Mathura Road.
Following this plan, a large number of vehicles were impounded for violation of the order. While seven vehicles in Central Zone were impounded and fined Rs 3,500, 36 vehicles were impounded and 35 were fined in the South Zone. As much as Rs 40,150 was collected as fine. A total of 31 vehicles were impounded in the West Zone on Monday.
Meanwhile, North and East Delhi corporations also impounded 21 and 75 vehicles respectively. A senior Corporation official said that under the drive, the drivers, owners, were first asked to remove the vehicles from the side of the road. “Those who failed to follow the orders are being booked,” he said.
It is learnt that the identified roads cater to around 75 per cent of the traffic in the city. They remain encroached due to illegal parking leaving no space to walk and have been affecting the smooth flow of traffic, hence making the traffic jams more painful and longer.
“It was noticed that the car dealers, their showrooms and other commercial establishments including shops and malls have been encouraging their customers to park vehicles on the roadside. Even the car dealers have been found parking their cars on roads,” he said.
The official further said that they will have to remove their cars otherwise they will have to face action, including hefty fines.