Bhubaneswar, April 15: Traffic police have a suggestion for the municipal corporation to end parking problems at Bapuji Nagar and the nearby Unit I daily market area. It wants the vacant space under the Rajmahal flyover to be used as parking lot.

The traffic wing of the city police thinks that this would help tackle the chaos that arises due to scarcity of parking space at these places.

The traffic wing had conducted a survey of the areas a few months ago and found that around 1,000 motorcycles can be parked under the flyover.

"If it is used only for parking four wheelers, it can accommodate around 300 of them. Visitors to Bapuji Nagar and Unit I daily market could use this for parking their vehicles as these places happen to be close to the flyover," said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Jatindra Kumar Panda.

The police said that the idea if implemented would not only help in traffic management but also in maintaining cleanliness as most of the time the vacant space under the flyover is being crowded by nomads.

At present, there is one functional parking lot in front of Unit I daily market that can accommodate limited number of vehicles.

In the absence of a parking lot with adequate space, the road connecting Rajmahal Square and AG Square remains congested during evening hours.

The corporation's deputy commissioner (projects and public relations) Srimanta Mishra said: "The flyover is owned by the public works department. First they have to permit us to use the space under the flyover. Once they do that. we can think about the parking plan.''

The corporation has also sought the view of the police regarding introduction of an annual fee for on-street parking.

The municipal corporation in association with the police had started on-street parking between Master Canteen and Ram Mandir Square in December last year.

The new parking system involves making markings on both sides of the road to denote the parking area.

"This would help shopkeepers and people whose offices are in the vicinity of the road as they will not be required to pay parking fee on regular basis," said a corporation official.

However, at present vehicles are not being charged for parking on the street as the project has been taken up on a pilot basis.

PAY MORE TO PARK AT AIRPORT 

 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has increased the parking fees for all categories of vehicles at the Biju Patnaik airport, the hike being in the range of Rs 5 to Rs 20.

The new parking tariff has become effective from April 13 immediately after AAI’s contract with the previous contractor came to an end. Interestingly, unlike in the past when the charges were valid for four hours, the new rates (see chart) will be applicable for two hours of parking only. 

Those staying beyond two hours will have to pay at the same rate even for a minute of overstay. However, the old practice of not charging vehicles if they stay at the airport for less than five minutes will continue.   

Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport Sharad Kumar told The Telegraph: “Till a new contractor is selected, we will manage the parking ourselves. The AAI headquarters in New Delhi have prescribed the new rates. It is a common rate prevalent at all airports across the country.’’ 

Kumar also said that the process to select a new manager to streamline parking has already begun. “We were forced to terminate the contract with the old contractor as several complaints of misbehaviour and harassment were filed against him by members of the public,’’ he said. 

Pradyumna Panda, a city resident said: “The AAI should also be cautious while selecting a new contractor for parking management. Anyone selected must ensure that his employees conduct themselves properly while dealing with visitors. Otherwise, old complaints of misbehaviour will resurface.”

Sushant Rout, an auto-rickshaw driver said: “There was nothing called free parking when the previous contractor was in charge. His staff would charge you even if you parked for less than five minutes by deliberately delaying you at the exit point. The AAI should look into this aspect.’’ 

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, on the other hand, has invited proposals for new parking lots in the city. The civic body is also likely to increase the parking fees within city limits after creating public awareness on the issue through campaigns.

Text by Bibhuti Barik
pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee