Bhubaneswar, June 7: The development authority is planning to introduce a smart parking system at Indira Gandhi Park, Unit-II, and Biju Patnaik Park, Unit-VI.

The officials of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) said that as part of the new system, a mechanised way of issuing parking tickets for vehicles would be introduced and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed in the parking area.

"This will ensure the security of cars parked on the roadside outside the amusement areas. It will also help avoid traffic problem outside the parks," said Ashok N. Dhar, chief horticulturist of BDA.

He said Biju Patnaik Park and Indira Gandhi Park were the two major parks and many people visit these. While there are spaces outside the Lower PMG gate of IG Park where vehicles are parked, on the Jayadev Bhavan side, cars and two-wheelers are parked on the side of the road. Similarly, in front of Biju Patnaik Park, the vehicles are parked on the roadside encroaching on the footpath and cycle tracks.

Due to increased base fees for auction every year, the development authority fails to attract more private contractors to manage the parking lot at IG Park. So, the BDA manages it here.

Dhar said they would look into other ways for better management of the parking lots near the parks. However, the smart parking system would make things easier, he said.

The development agency also plans to utilise the parks for betterment of people by granting space to people who can hold yoga workshops. Yoga centres function at Netaji Park in Gandamunda, Buddha Park in Niladri Vihar, K8 Park in Kalinga Nagar, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra park at Gadhakan, IG Park and Forest Park.

Dhar said those who were interested to hold such workshops or camps, would get space to organise them. "Yoga helps one to stay fit and more people are showing interest in such programmes," he said.

Besides, BDA also plans to rope in agencies to set up utility service counters where people can pay electricity, drinking water and phone bills. There are also plans to set up children's library where kids can enjoy reading while their parents are jogging outside. Dhar said most of these moves were in the proposal stage. At present, BDA maintains 60 parks in the city with 21 more to come up in the next one year. The development agency maintains them at an annual cost of around Rs 1 crore.