MCC gets advise from Police to ensure parking space use

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 06, 2016: Unauthorised deviation of parking slots in high-rise buildings, commercial as well as semi-commercial/residential, for other purposes has resulted in parking of vehicles outside these buildings, particularly on public roads. Umpteen number of attempts by social activists to make the corporation to crack the whip against such deviations have been futile. 

Mangaluru reels under frequent traffic snarls caused by unauthorised parking of vehicles on roads and pavements, the Mangaluru City Traffic Police has asked the MCC Mangaluru City Corporation to ensure that high-rise buildings abide by the building by-laws and throw open parking spaces for vehicles.

Now, the police have written to the corporation to ensure that parking spaces in high-rise buildings are used for the purpose for which they were meant and for which the building licenses were granted.  Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) Sanjeev M. Patil told media that as per public records, 194 high-rise buildings have violated building by-laws by diverting parking space for other activities, including commercial ventures.

While many owners of these buildings have resorted to litigation challenging the corporation’s directions to abide by licence conditions, owners of 69 buildings have not opted for litigation. Hence, the corporation should at least ensure that owners of these buildings clear the deviation and provide the space for parking of vehicles, DCP Patil said.  Asked whether the police could compel the civic body to follow the rules,  Patil said that they cannot.

But it is an attempt to remind the MCC of its duties towards society, he said.  However, the traffic police would not sit as a silent spectator to these violations which have severely been affecting vehicular movement across the city. If the MCC does not discharge its duties, the police would be forced to declare spaces around these buildings as ‘no parking’ zones and start levying hefty fine/towing of vehicles and other actions as per law.   Such actions would only embarrass the owners of those buildings whose clients would be put to discomfort for their folly.  Owners/ developers should realise that they are legally bound to provide parking space to visitors and are prohibited from ignoring law.