In every other state, the State Pollution Control Board informs citizens about the air quality every day. Not so in Meghalaya where every information must be literally wrung out of government departments. Of late the skyline is mostly invisible by noon as the atmosphere is laden with smog. Meghalaya had registered as the state with the highest density of cars much before anyone could discuss vehicular pollution. Now that vehicles have gone up almost a hundred fold the air is thick with suspended particulate matter. Not only that. Parking has become the biggest challenge in the city today. The Delhi High Court recently observed that parking a vehicle in an open area which is meant for public purpose, renders that space unusable by others and even “transient parking” in any open public area amounts to unauthorised encroachment,
The Delhi HC Division Bench comprising Justice Gita Mittal and Justice IS Mehta said that residents of housing societies had to ensure free passage for emergency vehicles like fire engines, ambulances and security of others living there by parking vehicles inside. In this landmark judgment the Delhi High Court has ruled that people who own flats in group housing societies are entitled to ONLY one car parking slot. Further the Court ruled that parking of vehicles in open spaces such as roads, parks, etc amounts to encroachment.
In Shillong, it is a common sight to see cars parked in lines on public roads blocking precious public spaces, which are meant for pedestrians and other vehicle users. Private car owners usurp such spaces with impunity. Does the State of Meghalaya have any policy to regulate how many vehicles each family can own? What are the guidelines for car owners regarding the availability of private parking places for them? The Singapore law is very clear. A citizen can’t buy a car unless the person shows that he/she has private parking space. In Meghalaya the neo-rich elite which have amassed wealth through coal and other businesses, flaunt their wealth by buying one car each for every family member. Many families in Shillong, Jowai Tura, Nongstoin, Nongpoh etc. own more than two to three cars. There is nothing illegal in owning as many cars as one can afford. But do the authorities demand that these owners show their private parking places for their cars? In Shillong, there are hundreds of private cars parked on the road outside private homes. It is time to frame strict rules to ensure that people with cars also have parking spaces. The Traffic Police should invoke the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act to impose fine on private car owners who park on public roads.
It is time for the Meghalaya High Court to take suo-moto cognisance of this problem and issue directions for the larger public good. When the governing institutions turn a blind eye to these important issues which are aimed at the larger public good, the citizens look up to the judiciary to bring relief.