Slapdash Parking 'Security Threat' to Surat Diamond Markets

(IDEX Online) – Diamond companies in Surat, India's largest diamond manufacturing center, are complaining about random parking near the city's diamond markets which they claim are a security hazard.

The narrow alleys of Surat's diamond quarters in Mini Bazaar in Varachha and Mahidharpura feature thousands of diamond businesses with the streets full of merchants, agents and manufacturers.

However, diamond merchants and manufacturers are negligent with regard to their own safety and that of their valuable goods due to the slapdash parking of their two-wheelers in the markets which could give criminals an opportunity to steal goods.

The Surat Diamond Association (SDA) has urged the city police department to declare the alleys in the diamond markets of Varachha and Mahidhapura as 'no parking' zones, The Times of India reported. Although the police banned parking of the two-wheelers, diamond merchants and manufacturers continue to park their vehicles in the narrow lanes, creating a security threat.

"Despite repeated pleas to traders and manufacturers to park their vehicles outside the diamond streets, there is little response. They are undermining their own security," said SDA president Dinesh Navadiya.