Nainital parking crisis: Enemy property comes to space-starved city's rescue

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allocated the Metropole Hotel premises in Nainital to the Uttarakhand government for temporary use as a parking facility, addressing the town's parking crisis, The Times of India reported on May 29. This decision came after a request by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who cited the acute parking shortage and proposed using the hotel's grounds, capable of accommodating over 1,000 vehicles, for public parking, ToI's report (by Sonali Mishra) said.

The Metropole Hotel, built in 1880, was once owned by the Raja of Mehmoodabad and later designated 'enemy property' in the early 1960s.

The MHA's decision comes after CM Pushkar Singh Dhami requested the use of the property. He highlighted the town's acute parking shortage.

The Metropole Hotel has a rich history. Built in 1880, it was once a luxury destination.

The hotel famously hosted figures such as Pakistan's founding father, Mohd Ali Jinnah, who spent his honeymoon there.

The property was designated 'enemy property' in the early 1960s. The Raja of Mehmoodabad, the hotel's owner, had migrated to Pakistan.

According to a state govt communique, home minister Amit Shah responded positively, confirming MHA's approval in an official letter to the CM.

"Significantly ease traffic congestion and improve logistical convenience in the region," Dhami said, thanking Shah.

The Metropole Hotel is spread over 10 acres. The property had fallen into disrepair after being declared enemy property.

Encroachers gradually occupied its open land.

In 2023, around 134 families were evicted following Supreme Court orders.

Last year, surface parking was allowed on an ad-hoc basis after a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) was granted to the Nainital district magistrate by the custodian office of enemy properties under Home ministry.