Chandigarh: Private buses encroach on govt land

Private buses continue to be parked illegally in grounds and other open spaces in the city, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation in dealing with the menace.

A large number of private vehicles can be seen parked on government land in several areas, including Sectors 35, 21, 34, 17 and 52. The owners of these vehicles, including buses of schools, private hospitals, tourist transporters and other institutions, continue to have a free run in the absence of any check by the MC or the TU Administration.

They are supposed to take permission for parking vehicles on government land and pay a fee. The authorities had challaned a few vehicles but failed to make sincere efforts to curb this illegal practice.

A place has been designated for the parking of private buses near the Fun Republic mall in Mani Majra.

A few years ago, the civic body conducted a survey of private buses, including those of schools and tourist vehicles, and identified 400-500 vehicles in the city. It was aimed at making the owners of such vehicles pay commercial parking charges. However, nothing much was done beyond the survey. “Most bus operators do pay charges, but not to the government. Someone else is collecting money for this illegal parking. This is height of corruption. This practice should stop as it causes not only loss of revenue to the administration but also creates insanitary conditions around the place where the vehicles are parked,” said RK Garg, president of Second Innings Association, a senior citizens’ body.

Local residents said AC-bus operators earned big time and they should be made to pay the government fee. They demanded a proper system should be implemented to check this illegal practice.