Gujarat : Textile Markets in Surat Face Legal Action for Flouting Parking Rules

Surat : As many as 30 textile markets located in key areas like Ring Road, Umarwada, and Sahara Darwaja have been served legal notices by the Gujarat High Court Advocate Harsha Patel. The reason? Disregarding a Supreme Court order issued in October 2019 that mandates free parking for at least one hour for visitors to commercial buildings categorized as ‘Mercantile’ and ‘Assembly.’

The legal action comes on behalf of Sanjay Patil, president of the Grey-Finish Delivery Contractor Welfare Association, and Umashankar Mishra, president of the Surat Jila Textile Marketing Transport Labour Union. Both petitioners allege blatant violation of the Supreme Court order by these textile markets, which are reportedly charging parking fees indiscriminately.

The apex court’s directive, issued on October 15, 2019, clearly states that visitors to commercial buildings falling under the aforementioned categories must be provided free parking for the first hour. Thereafter, a reasonable fee can be levied, not exceeding Rs 30 for four-wheelers and Rs 10 for two-wheelers per day.

“The Supreme Court orders are being flouted blatantly at all 30 textile markets,” stated the petitioners. “The market management is collecting parking fees indiscriminately, in clear violation of the court’s ruling.”

Shan Khan, spokesperson for the workers’ union, expressed strong disapproval of the markets’ actions. “This is nothing short of loot in the name of parking fees,” he said, highlighting the open defiance of the court order. “We have served notices to 30 markets for now. If they don’t comply, we will be forced to take contempt action against them.”