Parking problems on the rise, proposals for solutions gather dust

It other areas, the contractors charge a fee for entering the parking lot. The vehicle owners are on their own after this with no parking attendants for help. As a result, vehicles more than the capacity of the parking lot enter and lead to haphazard slotting.

Ever since the paid parking system was introduced a decade back, the parking fee has remained Rs 5 for four-wheelers and Rs 2 for two wheelers. With the municipal corporation’s revenue from auctions increasing, the margin of contractors is shrinking.

As many as seven of the 23 paid parking lots are without contractors, who say the MC charges them service tax with retrospective effect. Further, they have not been paid fee for city passes that number around 20 lakh. These factors, in fact, have led to the auctions failing twice.

Further, each parking lot is supposed to have a fire zone. But even where these are marked, they are occupied by vehicles. There have been instances when fire tenders could reach a fire only after vehicles were lifted and put aside.

Proposed solutions prove insufficient

The underground parking lots in sectors 17 and 8 are not being utilised because of the lack of lights and security. Also, since parking fee is charged only for surface parking, the contractors do not encourage the use of these parking lots.

A few market welfare associations, which were given charge of the parking lots, have given up. Though a multi-level parking lot is being constructed in Sector 17, those proposed for sectors 43, 34 and 8 are yet to be planned.

Underground parking lots were suggested under every park, but the idea was not found to be feasible.  A community parking lot did come up in Sector 19 on land that was vacant within the residential area, but the same was never replicated in other sectors.

In several other sectors, the width of parks was reduced to provide space for parking. But this was not enough. A proposal was also put forth to create parking space by removing the boundary wall of marla houses, but this too awaits implementation.

Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh, said, “People have encroached upon area outside their houses. These need to be removed to make space. Everyone wants to park vehicles near their houses to ensure safety. If community parking lots have guards, these may work.”

Official Speak

Municipal Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh said, “A holistic view has to be taken about parking lots. We are making a multi-level parking lot in Sector 17. Thereafter, we will close the parking lot near Empire Store and the vacant space could be used by people. But we have to see how much public money can be spent on subsidising parking for few.”

He added, “People have aspirations. They cannot be stopped from buying vehicles. There is, however, a need for increasing parking charges, which should be hourly. The elected representatives need to agree with this.”