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Stepping up for pedestrians, Bombay High Court asks for 5-year plan for parking

The Bombay high court on Wednesday questioned the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation about the inconvenience caused to citizens due to haphazard parking and increase in the number of vehicles.

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The Bombay high court on Wednesday questioned the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation about the inconvenience caused to citizens due to haphazard parking and increase in the number of vehicles.

A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and Ajey Gadkari said, "What is your plan for the next five years with regards to parking of vehicles? You cannot allow cars to be on the road, where will the citizens move?"

The court also suggested that authorities should ensure every car owner has a parking and only then allow registration of cars. It said, "A person may have 50 houses and 50 cars but if they don't have parking space then registration of vehicles should not be done. By allowing them to park on roads and imposing fine, you are causing inconvenience to the common man."

The bench was aghast at the mention by Advocate J S Saluja, appearing for the state government, that skywalks have been built but pedestrians, instead of using them, walk in the middle of the road. Justice Gadkari said, "Skywalks are useless for a senior citizen. How can they climb up and down the stairs? They are not safe for women with no proper lights. In theory it is all right but in practical use it is not."

The court compared the situation of pedestrians in India to those in foreign countries, saying, "In foreign countries cars stop if a pedestrian is on the road, they show so much respect. But here a car owner is shown respect. Safe pavements and safe roads is a must. Walking on a public road is a right of the citizen that cannot be taken away by a car owner."

The observations were made during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manch. Convener of the NGO Bhagwanji Rayani argued, "I live in JVPD scheme in Vile Parle (West), but if i have to go to Vile Parle (East) it will take me almost an hour to reach."

The PIL states that the authorities should regulate the traffic in view of the increasing number of vehicles which is causing a nuisance to the general public at large. The PIL prays for several directions with regards to regulation of vehicles and traffic, by imposing congestion tax, etc.

The bench has now directed authorities of the transport department to file an affidavit explaining the future plan with regards to regulation of traffic. It has now directed the officials to remain present personally in the court after two weeks.

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