11 hrs, 1.5k cars: Cops turn focus on illegal parking

Kolkata: The Kolkata Traffic Police, along with local police stations, directed their attention towards illegal parking in the city after a prod from the state to stop the menace and related extortion by showing "zero tolerance". According to data shared by joint CP (traffic) Rupesh Kumar, 603 cases of illegal parking were reported in seven hours — between 9 am and 4 pm — across the city on Thursday. By 8 pm, the figure surged to 1,526.Out of the 603 cases of illegal parking reported till 4 pm, 72 were reported by Regent Park Traffic Guard, catering to the Tollygunge to Gangulybagan area. The South Traffic Guard that covers the office para between Exide crossing and SN Banerjee Road reported 57 cases of illegal parking. In contrast, cops reported just two cases at Beleghata Traffic Guard and four from Ultadanga Guard. Both guards, though, have been asked to carry out extensive raids.Bengal's minister for urban development and municipal affairs Agnimitra Paul has announced a sweeping crackdown on illegal parking and revenue leakage to decongest city roads. Highlighting that roadside parking has contributed to "manifold increases in congestion" over the last few years, the minister outlined two primary policy shifts designed to restore order to urban transit. To address the chaos caused by double-sided parking — a practice the minister said has persisted illegally for 15 years — the govt will now strictly regulate road usage. Parking will be restricted to a single, designated side of the road. By banning parking on the opposite side, the department aims to reclaim space and ensure a smoother flow of traffic.The minister took a firm stance against the illegal collection of parking fees, which has historically bypassed the state exchequer. All unauthorized fee collections must stop immediately. The govt is moving to ensure that 100% of parking taxes reach the govt treasury rather than be diverted by illegal operators. "We have taken the principled decision to end the 15-year era of illegal double-sided parking. Furthermore, we must stop illegal fee collection at once to ensure that every rupee of tax belongs to the govt and is used for public welfare," Paul said.