SURAT: In a bold measure to ensure safety of the diamond traders and merchants in the diamond hub of Varachha after the 13/7 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, the city police commissioner has declared the diamond market in Mini Bazaar as 'no parking zone'.

The move has come following the recommendation received from the industry leaders and the personal visit of city police commissioner Rakesh Asthana in the diamond markets of Varachha and Mahidharpura after the 13/7 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Sources said the Mini Bazaar diamond market in Varachha remains crowded throughout the day with the presence of more than 7,000 to 8,000 diamond traders. The spots like Mini Bazaar to Sardar Chowk, Kohinoor Road, Heera Panna, Sadhana Chambers and Mahendra Niwas remain chock-a-block with the haphazard parking of two-wheelers on both the sides, leaving little space for the visitors to walk.

Interestingly, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has set up multi-level parking facilities at Kranti Maidan in Varachha at the cost of Rs 4.5 crore to accommodate about 182 cars and over 700 two-wheelers. Similar facility has been created at Mahidharpura diamond market keeping in mind the traffic situation there.

"The people in Varachha and Mahidharpura are not using the multi-level parking facilities, instead they continue to park their vehicles in the middle of the road. After the orders issued by the police department, we hope that the diamond traders will make use of the facility created by the civic body," said a senior civic officer.

Dinesh Navadia, president of Surat Diamond Association (SDA) said, "As the apex body of the diamond trade in Surat, we have vowed to give our full cooperation to the police department. We welcome the decision taken by the city police chief for declaring Mini Bazaar as no parking zone."

A senior police officer said, "We have been inviting suggestions from the diamond trade regarding the no parking zone decision taken by the department. After 15 days, we will officially declare both Mini Bazaar and Mahidharpura diamond market as no parking zones."