JNAC campaign against map deviation in Baazar Kolkata and Citi Style Jamshedpur, Ground floor parking initiated

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, June 23: The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) launched a rigorous campaign against map deviation in the Sakchi SNP area as mandated by the High Court. On the third day of the operation, JNAC officials executed an order to vacate Baazar Kolkata and Citi Style establishments from the ground floor of Holding Number 9, SK Sinha Rai (T Sukumaran). Both operators were instructed to construct a parking ramp on the ground floor within 24 hours to facilitate parking for mall customers.

Under the supervision of Dhalbhum SDO Parul Singh, JNAC engineers MK Pradhan and Sanjay Kumar were deployed to assist in the enforcement. Special Officer Arvind Tirkey and City Manager Joy Gudiya were appointed as magistrates to maintain law and order during the campaign.

The JNAC team, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at 11:30 am, prompting immediate eviction of the ground floor occupants. Subsequently, the area was cleared and designated for parking, including space for two-wheelers.

The legal action stemmed from a 2011 directive by the Jharkhand High Court to address violations related to map deviations, where commercial activities were conducted instead of designated parking spaces. Initially, TK Sukumaran, the building operator, was issued notices starting from January 20, 2011, to rectify illegal constructions within 15 days or face further action.

After subsequent notices in 2016, the issue remained unresolved until a Public Interest Litigation (PIL 2078/2018) was filed by Sakchi resident Rakesh Jha, prompting the recent court order for compliance.

Legal stand: Shopping malls prohibited from charging parking fees

Jamshedpur, June 23: Shopping malls are legally prohibited from charging parking fees, as per building regulations where parking spaces are mandated as part of the building permit conditions. The construction of buildings is contingent upon providing adequate parking facilities. A precedent was set in 2019 by verdicts from the Gujarat and Kerala High Courts, stating that customers using their own vehicles for shopping in malls should not be subject to parking fees.

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan emphasized that charging parking fees under such circumstances is illegal and may incur penalties. He highlighted that parking is an essential requirement for the public, and the absence of adequate parking in malls could lead to traffic congestion in surrounding areas. Therefore, malls are not entitled to impose parking fees, ensuring relief for city residents from such charges.