Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: The civic body may levy additional fees on designated parking lots during peak traffic hours. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation's move is aimed at encouraging people to use public transport system during rush hours.

The corporation has also proposed several other measures in a draft regulation on parking and has invited suggestions and comments from residents by December 26.

Deputy commissioner (projects) of BMC Srimanta Mishra said that the practice of charging additional fees for car parking during rush hours was already in force in several Indian metros and cities abroad. "The main target is to encourage people to use public transport during peak hours," said Mishra.

According to the draft plan, the civic body will identify designated on-street parking lots following the provisions of Odisha Municipal Corporation Act 2003. However, ambulances and those with disability will be exempted from collection of parking fees.

Corporation officials said that the new regulations would try to make effective use of the Odisha Urban Parking Policy, 2013. "We want to make the city roads congestion free," said another senior civic official.

The draft policy on parking also emphasized on installation of signs related to various traffic norms near the parking sites across the city according to the code of practice by the Indian Road Congress.

The civic body will shortly form a City Parking Management Committee (CPMC) for better management and enforcement of the parking rules and regulations.

"Penalty from the violators will be collected within 28 days. Besides, if any vehicle is found violating the norms for three consecutive occasions, the civic body may lift the vehicle," said the official.

Residents, however, felt that they civic body should manage the parking lots in various areas of the city more effectively.

"Unemployed youths of various areas often convert open stretches into parking lots and start collecting fees forcibly during festie times," said Sourav Samal, a resident.

The civic body has also made another draft regulation for sewage management that would deal with waste originating from various septic tanks.

According to the draft proposals, the civic body will fine households, institutions and commercial establishments if they are found releasing liquid waste onto public roads or violating other rules. Penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 15,000 will be slapped.#