The Delhi High Court has emphasized the need for a policy-driven solution by municipal authorities to address the perennial issue of inadequate parking in residential colonies, stating that it is beyond the court’s purview to resolve such widespread civic challenges through judicial intervention. This declaration came as the court declined to act on a plea complaining about unauthorized vehicle parking in residential lanes.
The plea involved a resident from Molarband Extension in Badarpur who alleged that the parking in front of her house and shop was unlawful and caused significant inconvenience. However, the court observed that the issue of vehicles parked in public streets, although bothersome, reflects a broader problem of urban planning and infrastructure inadequacy prevalent across many parts of Delhi.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, in his judgment, noted, “The absence of dedicated parking spaces is symptomatic of a larger urban planning failure where colonies were developed without sufficient foresight regarding parking facilities, compelling residents to park in streets.”
Highlighting that the problem of parking is endemic to the city and not limited to individual cases, the court pointed out that resolving this issue requires comprehensive planning and coordination among various civic bodies, including the municipal corporation, local resident welfare associations (RWAs), and the police department, rather than isolated judicial orders.
The court further explained that the petitioner’s grievance, while valid, stems from an urban challenge that extends beyond illegal activities and requires a structured and strategic approach rather than immediate police action.
