MUDA parking lot becomes ‘hub of petty thieves’
SHILLONG: If one thought that parking his vehicle in a paid parking space will ensure safety of the four-wheeler, he is sure to be taken for a ride.
The parking lot of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in Khyndailad has become a favourite spot for thieves who often manage to steal goods from inside the parked vehicles.
Though the vehicle owners are charged a fee and offered a receipt at the parking lot, security seems to be the last thing on the mind of the authorities.
On Sunday, a person who had parked his vehicle in the MUDA space was shocked to find out that a dongle and some clothes were missing from his car. “I returned to the parking lot within one hour only to find that some items from my car had gone missing,” the person said, adding that the thief probably used a scale to open the door and commit the crime.
Hundreds of vehicles are parked inside the parking lot daily and lack of basic security baffles many. Besides, poor lighting in the area adds to the advantage of miscreants, some of whom are teenagers or even younger. People also complain about lack of cleanliness inside the parking lot.
On Saturday, this reporter saw a boy of 12 -13 years trying to open the luggage carrier of a scooty that was parked in the MUDA area. When the boy realised that he was being watched, he quietly left the parking lot.
Officials at MUDA said there is a proposal to install CCTV cameras inside the parking lot to keep a tab on illegal activities inside. “As soon as funds are available, the CCTV cameras will be installed,” officials said.
It may be mentioned that even in the past there have been complaints of the parking lot being used by anti-socials on numerous occasions.