Taking cognisance of lack of parking facility at the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital here, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on June 13 pulled the state government for lack of parking facility for the patients.

A Division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma directed the Chief Secretary to file a personal affidavit within two weeks, indicating action being taken for providing parking facility at IGMC Hospital in the town. The order was passed recently and its copy was given to the media on June 13. It pointed out that hospital does not have its parking space and vehicles of patients and attendants are parked outside the hospital on the road and the traffic police challaned them frequently, forcing them to face unnecessary hardship.

“We deem it proper to direct the CS to file his personal affidavit within a period of two weeks, stating therein proposed action being taken by the state for providing adequate car parking at IGMC Hospital, Shimla”. The Court passed this order on an instant petition, as a petitioner sought from the respondents state to propose a car parking at IGMC under ‘AMRUT Mission’ without any delay. The Court observed that despite issuing notice to the respondent state in the matter it has not bothered to file reply till date despite repeated opportunities given by the court.

Taking note of callous and irresponsible attitude of authorities towards serious problem, HC directed CS to inform that at what time parking proposed to be constructed near IGMC Shimla under AMRUT Mission or to be made functional. It also warned the top  bureaucrat that if he failed to file affidavit before the next date of hearing, he should remain present in person in the court.

In April, 2017, to check the traffic chaos at IGMC, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) laid down foundation stone to construct a multi-level parking complex near the hospital, to accommodate about 300 vehicles, under the 'AMRUT Mission,' but till date, no step has been taken by the authorities. Thousands of patients visit this premier hospital in the state, however, they have to move from post to pillar to find a parking lot, forcing them to pay heavy fine as police challan their vehicles on side of roads in the town.