CSMC serves notices to marriage hall owners; warns of strict action over parking violations

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

More than 100 marriage halls in the city do not have their own parking facilities, resulting in vehicles belonging to guests and visitors being parked on main roads. This has led to a growing traffic congestion problem in several parts of the city. During a general body (GB) meeting of the municipal corporation, corporators from all political parties strongly raised the issue. Following this, the anti-encroachment section directed all zonal offices to issue notices to marriage hall-owners or operators, instructing them to arrange proper parking facilities or face legal action.

In recent years, some landowners have adopted the practice of renting out large plots for wedding functions. Such events have been taking place regularly at Hudco Corner, causing severe traffic congestion in the area between 7 pm and 10 pm. Areas including Beed Bypass, Jalna Road, Baliram Patil High School vicinity, Police Mess to Katkat Gate, Roshan Gate, TV Centre, Padegaon Road, Buddhi Lane, Jama Masjid area and Shahganj have a large number of marriage halls.

Most of these venues lack dedicated parking spaces. Guests attending functions, often numbering between 1,000 and 1,500, park their vehicles directly on roadsides, creating major traffic bottlenecks during the wedding season.

Residents have expressed growing frustration over the congestion, alleging that the traffic police have not been paying adequate attention to the issue. Although the municipal corporation has a mechanism to tow away vehicles parked illegally on roads, vehicles parked outside marriage halls are reportedly never removed.

Strict action planned

During last month’s GB meeting, corporators across party lines criticised the lack of parking arrangements at marriage halls. Subsequently, the anti-encroachment squad initiated action by instructing ward offices to issue notices to marriage halls within their jurisdictions. Authorities have warned that direct action will be taken against venues that fail to provide their own parking facilities within the next few days.

Property tax dues pending

Out of the more than 100 marriage halls in the city, only a handful regularly pay property tax every year. Most venues reportedly have property tax arrears amounting to crores of rupees. In addition, the municipal corporation is required to collect and dispose of the waste generated during events held at these venues. Mayor Sameer Rajurkar said that the administration had already been instructed during an earlier general body meeting to ensure stricter regulation of marriage halls.