Token experiment for parking lots

Continuing with its experiments in two parking lots in Sector 17,the Municipal Corporation (MC) will issue tokens to vehicles that are to be parked here. The numbering of the slots has been done. The number of vehicles that are to be parked would be restricted to the total slots that are present. The two parking lots are the centre of attraction for all proposals by the MC since the High Court mooted a proposal for making some parking lots in the sector vehicle-free.

As per the proposal,the system of issuing tokens would be introduced at the parking lot near Empire Store and another one near Sahib Singh & Sons. The vehicles would be allowed to enter only as per the slots available. While one of the parking lots can accommodate around 120 cars,the other has a capacity of around 410. Once the number of tokens are distributed,then the entry would be prohibited.

The aim is to ensure that the parking lots are free of chaos. At present,more vehicles are parked than the capacity. This results in cars being double parked. There is also less space left for the vehicles to move within the parking lot. The civic body had earlier constructed pedestrian pathways within these parking lots to facilitate the pedestrians to move from one side of the plaza to the other. Instead of facilitating the pedestrians,it is often found that cars are parked on these pathways and these are being used by vehicles to ply. These have also eaten into the parking spaces.

An official stated that the system of issuing tokens is likely to be started from tomorrow. “Tokens are available with us. These would be given to the parking contractors. This would ensure that a specified number of cars are parked. Excess cars would not be allowed,” he said.