HC seeks Punjab’s response on plea for revised parking norms in Mohali
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice of motion to the Punjab Government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a complete overhaul of the parking norms and urban planning policies in Mohali, including areas governed by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
The petition was filed by Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, who expressed deep concern over the worsening parking crisis in the rapidly expanding city. Represented by advocates Ranjivan Singh and Riturag Singh, Bedi urged the court to direct the state to formulate practical, modern and sustainable parking norms, considering the sharp increase in population, infrastructure and vehicle ownership in the city.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sunit Goel heard the matter and issued a notice to the Punjab Government for July 10. The court also directed that all parties concerned be served ten copies of the petition by the said date.
In his plea, Bedi stated, “Residents of Mohali face daily difficulties due to a severe lack of parking. Hospitals, malls, labs and educational institutions lack proper parking facilities and even the government layouts do not include constitutionally-planned parking provisions.”
Highlighting the outdated nature of existing guidelines, Bedi contended that the current parking norms, framed between 2007 and 2009, no longer reflect the city’s present reality. “Today, it is common for every household to own two to three vehicles. These outdated policies are now ineffective and there is an urgent need for a modern, practical, and realistic parking policy,” he submitted.
The petition further argued that unregulated parking practices had led to rising incidents of road rage and disputes, many of which go unreported. According to Bedi, “If effective steps are not taken without delay, the situation will only worsen.”
Among the key proposals made in the petition is a demand to allow four-storey residential buildings in city layouts, with mandatory stilt parking on the ground floor. It also calls for approval of new commercial and residential buildings only if they incorporate multi-storey parking facilities.
“GMADA itself has constructed multi-storey buildings, and private builders are being approved for 18-storey structures. Therefore, four-storey buildings should be allowed in residential areas as well to ensure internal parking,” Bedi stated in his submission.
The plea also emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated urban policy that integrates parking infrastructure with planned expansion, to avoid the bottlenecks and civic challenges currently seen across the city.
Speaking to the media outside the court, Bedi said, “This decision brings hope to Mohali residents that a viable solution to the city’s parking crisis may soon be found.” He added that several areas, especially around Phase 11, are experiencing a complete collapse of available parking space. “This is a serious issue that GMADA must address,” he stressed.
Chandigarh