It is indeed regretting that Supreme Court has to spend precious court-hours on issues like encroachments and parking-space in Delhi. It was welcome to note that the Division Bench of Apex Court gave Delhi government notify its parking policy in short time by 30.09.2019 with compliance-report to be submitted in the court by 04.10.2019.
Concerned authorities in Delhi should also look into large-scale commercialisation of earlier purely posh residential colony Bhagirath Palace in Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi with total buildings in the colony re-built with high level illegal constructions. Bhagirath Palace with adjoining Lajpat Rai Market, New Lajpat Rai Market and Pleasure Garden Market have thus become largest wholesale markets in India for so many commodities like medicines, surgical-equipment, electrical and electronics goods and so many other commodities.
A probe under direct supervision of the Apex Court is necessary to look into such large-scale illegal constructions and encroachments on pathways and roads in these markets. Major fire-incidents in Bhagirath Palace could not allow Fire Brigade reach the accident-site. Probe is also necessary to know how land-use in Bhagirath Palace changed from residential to commercial.
Single-storied Lajpat Rai Market, New Lajpat Rai Market and Pleasure Garden Market in Chandni Chowk should be converted in multi-storey markets with basement-parking as part of beautification plan of Chandni Chowk. A part of surplus space thus achieved can be given for expansion of famous Gauri Shanker Temple in Chandni Chowk on lines of Hanuman Temple and Gurudwara Bangla Saheb at Baba Kharagsingh Marg (New Delhi).
MADHU AGRAWAL