Journalism of Courage
The Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations will begin the process of demarcating parking spaces,as per the reworked maps released by the traffic police in August,soon after Diwali. Around April this year,the traffic police had initiated the review of parking zones in its jurisdiction. After release of the first draft of maps on the Pune police website,remarks from people were invited. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic),Manoj Patil,said,The motive was to look at the vehicle parking problem with a fresh mindset on the backdrop of the changing city infrastructure and ever growing number of vehicles.
To involve people into the decision-making process,traffic cops directly approached citizens,citizen organisations and establishments for their inputs. The matter of parking outside schools,for example,was discussed with school administration,students and parents. Based on the maps,ward officers have been given orders for the painting of parking spaces and installation of sign boards at various places. Assistant city engineer and traffic planner with PMC,Shrinivas Bonala,said,The work of painting of parking spaces has already started. It will be in full swing after Diwali when rain stops completely and repairing at some of roads is done. Dilip Kudale,co-ordinator with engineering wing of PCMC said,The work will start in the city and on highways.
The new plan also marks the parking lots for bus stands and railway stations in the city. Patil said,Bus stands and railway station authorities have been asked to arrange for their own parking lots. It is the service providers duty to arrange for the parking of its customers. He also added that even after the marking are in place they would be open for further changes if necessary.
