Three months after the multi-level parking system near Patna Junction was made functional, authorities have admitted it is an under-utilised facility.
Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor said most motorists weren't using the parking lot that can accommodate 480 vehicles at one time. He said unless an elevated path connecting the parking lot to Patna Junction comes up, there were dim chances for things to improve.
The plan to construct the elevated path awaits a nod from the railways and the road construction department.
"The parking lot is not connected to the Patna Junction, which deters people from approaching the parking lot with their vehicles," Kishor told The Telegraph. "They prefer parking the vehicles in front of the Junction or anywhere they feel like. We believe once the path is constructed, the utility of the parking lot will increase."
Amarnath Kumar, a motorist, proved Kishor right. "Why will I park my vehicle at the parking lot if I have to go to the station? I can easily park it in one of the parking spaces outside the junction. There is no use of the parking lot if it's not connected to the station. It's sad how even after so many delays there is lack for a proper plan," he said.
The parking system, a project undertaken by BUIDCo (Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation), was conceptualised in 2009 by the state government. The project was handed over to Godrej & Boyce and was ready for use by early 2013 but remained unused until January this year because of several problems, including encroachment on the only road through which people could get into the parking lot.
The parking lot has a total of four floors and is under camera-based surveillance.
It has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. In December last year, the administration decided to construct an elevated path that would connect the second floor of the parking lot to Patna Junction.
The elevated path would be around 200 metres.
"We have decided to make it mandatory for people to park their vehicles in the parking lot once the elevated path comes up," Kishor added. "The path's design has been shown to the railways but they want some changes in it. BUIDCo has been informed about the changes as well. We need a clearance from the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited too as they are constructing a flyover along the same place. We expect both the clearances to come within two months following which construction work would start and is expected to get over by another year."
As per the present system, private four-wheeler users will have to pay Rs 25 for three hours, after which they will be charged Rs 10 for every additional hour. For commercial vehicle users, one has to pay Rs 15 for three hours and Rs 10 for every additional hour. For two wheelers, the parking fee rests at Rs 10 for three hours and the same would be charged for every additional hour. An owner has to pay Rs 135 to park his/her car for an entire day. They have to pay the same amount for every additional day.
