Subhanna, a government office building in DF Block, has just got multi-level car parking space with technology that may be the first of its kind in the state. The four-storeyed space has a single ramp for cars to enter and exit but the “smart parking system” ensures two-way traffic without collision.

The system was launched on June 3 by urban development minister Firhad Hakim in the presence of MLA Sujit Bose, principal secretary of urban development and municipal affairs department Subrata Gupta and chief executive officer, Calcutta Municipal Development Authority Avanindra Singh.

“Subhanna houses many government departments (like consumers affairs and excise directorate) and there was a need for car parking space for employees and visitors,” said Gupta. His department installed the system. 

“We could build a multi-level car park but didn’t have space for two ramps to go in and come out. Hence we had to think out of the box,” he added.

The software they came up with uses sensors and does not require human intervention. “When a vehicle tries to enter the parking building it would be stopped by a boom barrier,” explained an executive engineer of the department. “The sensors would detect whether it’s a two or four-wheeler and then analyse the space available upstairs. A display board in front of the vehicle will then ask it to proceed to a particular floor.” 

At present, the first floor has been reserved for 30 two-wheelers and the three higher floors can hold a minimum of 40 cars. “If a car has been allotted the second floor, the driver will find boom barriers of all others floors shut to it. He will be guided to the correct floor,” he said. 

When leaving the building the driver is to press the “exit” button at the barrier of his floor. The system will ensure there is no other vehicle climbing up the ramp before allowing him to roll down. 

“During rush hour in the morning, when most cars will be entering the building, the system will allow three cars to enter before a car is allowed to exit. The same 3:1 ratio will be maintained in reverse order during evening rush hours,” said the engineer. Timings of the parking lot will be 10am to 5.30pm and parking will be free. 

The G+13 floor Subhanna, situated opposite CF Block’s Azad Hind Dhaba, was inaugurated by the chief minister (by remote) late last year. The interiors of the building, particularly, its conference hall, are state-of-the-art too.