Motorists’ struggle on in Solan, courtesy lack of parking space

Ambika Sharma

Lack of parking space in Solan town is emerging as a major problem for people.

Reason: The number of vehicles in Solan has far surpassed the available space, making it difficult for motorists to park vehicles in authorised space. 

Several projects floated by the municipal committee to enhance parking space have failed to take off for one reason or the other. No serious efforts are being made to push these projects, nor are fresh projects being conceived to ease parking blues.

A railway road parking project, which entailed a multi-level parking for 102 vehicles some years ago, was conceived in 2008. Apart from a basement, ground floor and first floor, it was slated to create a 3,720.19 sq mt area for parking. Though bids were invited to construct this project on a built operate and transfer basis in 2008, the project has failed to take off even today.

Another multi-level parking project was conceived at the old bus stand some years ago, which involved transfer of Army land. A parking for 156 vehicles was supposed to be created here in three floors along with some commercial space and an amount of about Rs 11 crore was supposed to be incurred over this project. Since the exchange of land failed to take place, this project, too, was hanging fire.

The only new parking space being created by the committee was at Saproon, which was bang on the highway on a curve. Though a part of it has become functional, motorists are finding it difficult to gain access. The other parking created some years ago near Thodo Ground was generally occupied by locals and motorists coming from outside couldn’t park their vehicles.

“Though there were a few private parking places in the town in addition to an illegal parking as well, a visitor coming to Solan faces a major challenge in hunting for an appropriate parking space. An attempt to park a vehicle along the road led to issuance of challan by the police and it has virtually become a Herculean task to bring a vehicle to the town,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Kasauli, who often visits Solan.

With the police now resorting to e-challan, the situation would be further aggravated as parking limitations left fewer options with commuters and people were forced to park their vehicles in the available space.

The inability of the municipal committee officials to rid the roads of unauthorised possession further reduced the road width on the town’s main Mall Road and it faced maximum traffic influx due to parked vehicles and encroachments.

“Parking provision should be provided at the town’s entry both from Saproon and Chambaghat side and speedy public transport should be available from there to ferry commuters to the town,” said Aditya Sharma, a daily commuter.

The parking space has not been expanded vis-à-vis increase in the vehicular traffic over the years and the problem has now acquired a worrisome proportion with lack of timely intervention.