Shops encroach upon parking lots in Cuttack

Cuttack: Parking spaces leased out by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) are being increasingly encroached upon by fruit stalls, tea vendors and other small businesses.

Though the CMC had identified 16 places in the millennium city for vehicle parking and had invited tender, ground reality reveals that all the plans are on pen and paper only.

For an instance, a parking space in front of Chandini Chowk has been allotted to one Chandan Moharana. But the space, instead of being used as a parking spot has been encroached upon by illegal shops.

Corporator Artun Sethi alleged the parking spaces are being misused in the knowledge of the CMC authorities.

“Shops are set up illegally at the 16 parking spaces in the city,” Sethi added.

Refuting the charges, CMC Commissioner Bikash Mohapatra said “Mostly parking lots in the city are utilized for parking purposes only. However, in view of the allegations, I have directed officials to look into the matter and undertake eviction drive if there are any encroachments.”

On the other hand, the Commissionerate Police has written to the CMC authorities asking them to properly demarcate parking lots in the city.

“At some places boards have been put up with rate chart, leaseholders name and contact number, whereas such boards are missing in other places,” said Akhileshvar Singh, Cuttack DCP.

“In cases of encroachments, we have recommended the CMC to order eviction,” added Singh.