Authorities Gear Up To Address Parking Woes In Cities

In the absence of infrastructure fit to be used by a growing population, traffic and parking menace are only going to increase with every passing day. Some of these also lead to encroachments, illegal constructions, unauthorised entryways etc and in some cases, the action taken is ineffective. Take, for example, the parking system in India. After the Real Estate Law came into force, there was a debate about whether or not developers should be allowed to sell parking lots to his buyers? Previously, this was not allowed, but there still were numerous instances wherein parking lots were sold or came as a concealed cost for the buyer. There is no denying the fact that homes sans parking have added to home buyers' concerns and here are the latest developments you need to know about:

• In Delhi, parking your car on colony roads will attract a fee, though it will be cheaper for night hours and the rate will be higher for those who own more than two cars. Municipal corporation would decide on how many cars would be allowed per family depending upon the size of the owner's house. Parking on footpaths will be made a cognizable offense. Illegal parking can lead to a fine of up to Rs 5,500 too.

• In Chandigarh too, the administration has relieved many. Under the new rules, residents will require to make a provision for only one car in houses below 10 marla, two for one-kanal houses and three for up to two-kanal houses. The previous way, where residents had to make their own provisions led to delay in sanctioning of building approvals.

• In Patna, parking spots for two-wheelers, four-wheelers and no-parking zones have been set up recently.

• The Maharashtra government, too, gives some relaxation. In a bid to regularise unauthorised constructions, one of the circulars read that if parking area is not possible to be provided for the individual building, the possibility of providing mechanical parking or a common parking space in the adjoining area could be considered. Else, a concession in parking area requirement (should) be given by charging an additional premium at the rate of 20 per cent of the land rate in the prevalent ready reckoner (RR).

• Telangana government has framed a new parking policy for all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). It aims to encourage park and ride concept at railway stations, bus stations, etc apart from offering huge incentives to the developers who would take up multi-floor parking facility in the busy areas under public-private partnership.

• The concept of free parking on any road or footpath in Mumbai, except for a few designated tourist spots and public places has ended in Mumbai. This is because the state government has lifted its stay on a policy that the municipal corporation prepared two years ago.

• In Bengaluru too, the administration is busy looking at ways to decongest. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had planned to impose parking charges on vehicle owners who left them on the roadsides at night. However, this plan failed to take off. As of now, the authorities are looking into street parking management in arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city.

Also Read: Government To Initiate E-Challans, Technologically Superior Transport Systems To Ensure Safety