Jaipur Morning Walkers Rally for Public Parking Rights at Central Park
In a significant development in Jaipur, morning walkers frequenting Central Park have initiated a robust protest, culminating in the preparation of a formal memorandum to be submitted to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The core demand revolves around securing permission to park their vehicles on the land surface above a recently constructed underground parking facility. This movement highlights growing public discontent over access to civic amenities funded by taxpayer money.
Signature Campaign and Allegations of Access Denial
On a recent Saturday, the walkers organized a signature campaign at Central Park to bolster their memorandum, gathering support from the community. They assert that for years, they utilized the space freely, but now face restrictions imposed by the Rambagh Golf Club (RGC) following the completion of the underground parking lot. Yogesh Yadav, president of the Central Park Banchao Sangharsh Samiti (CPBSS), articulated the group's frustrations, stating, "The government spent crores of public money to create an underground parking lot intended for citizens. Yet, this facility remains unopened to the public, while a private club has exploited the construction to block access to the parking area." This allegation underscores a perceived misuse of public infrastructure.
Official Decisions and Legal Grounds
Club officials have not provided any comments on the matter, leaving the walkers' claims unchallenged. However, a senior official from the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) revealed that during the previous Congress government, a decision was made by high-ranking Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department officials. Post-construction, the surface area above the parking lot was designated for exclusive use by the Rambagh Golf Club. This decision has sparked controversy, as it appears to contradict public interest.
The citizens' memorandum references a 2014 high court order that explicitly directed the state government to ensure no entity could prevent ordinary citizens from parking in the area. It urgently requests the Chief Minister to intervene by engaging with the UDH department and the JDA to resolve the issue. Yadav emphasized, "The club has deployed barricades, guards, and bouncers, employing strong-arm tactics to deter citizens from parking on this public land. If the government fails to address this, we will pursue fresh petitions in the high court."
Broader Implications and Public Response
This protest sheds light on broader issues of governance and public space management in urban India. The walkers' efforts reflect a growing awareness and activism among citizens regarding their rights to access facilities funded by public expenditure. The situation at Central Park serves as a microcosm of challenges faced in balancing private interests with public welfare, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from authorities.
