Locals blame misuse of stilt parking for snarl-ups

Ahead of the Municipal Corporation elections, illegal buildings are mushrooming in various parts of the city.

Sources say showroom owners, in connivance with officials and local leaders, continue to convert stilt parking into commercial floors, while cars are parked on roads, leading to traffic jams.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that in Model Town area, nine such buildings are nearing completion and in three of these, the stilt parking has been rented out. Another two have come up near the Bhupindra Road while two more are under construction near the Stadium Road.

Residents allege that the builder-official nexus is behind this illegal use of stilt parking.

“A large number of people visit the Model Town temple. The buildings just adjacent to us have raised three floors and instead of using the stilt parking for vehicles, the owners have rented it out. The corporation officials are not bothered, despite the inconvenience it would cause to devotees,” said a resident of Model Town.

A senior MC official said the officers concerned should be held accountable for allowing such misuse of stilt floors. “These should be sealed immediately and officials concerned chargesheeted,” he stated.

Model town area inspector Manpreet Kaur said she was unaware of any such misuse of stilt floor being used for purpose other than parking. “However, I will submit a report to my seniors,” she said.

A senior police official said certain corporation officials allowed illegal conversion of parking area for godown purpose and other commercial activities. The MC officials concerned should be held accountable for such misuse, he said.

Talking to The Tribune, Municipal Commissioner Rajat Oberoi said he would seek a report from the town planning officials. “I will get the matter verified and will not allow the devotees to face inconvenience. Building bylaw violation will not be allowed,” he stated.

Every building is constructed according to a plan approved by the Municipal Corporation. The stilt parking is a parking arrangement where vehicles are parked on the ground floor of a building, elevated above the ground level with columns or stilts. This parking solution is commonly found in residential complexes, commercial buildings and malls, especially in urban areas.