MC works on implementation of parking policy

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 2

The Municipal Corporation is taking steps to mitigate parking woes of residents. The MC had started working on the implementation of the public parking policy for municipal corporation towns of the state after it was notified in 2018.

According to the policy, the Municipal Corporation will subdivide the city into multiple parking zones or parking management areas, which will be the main units for ensuring parking regulations and management. All areas will be notified as “paid parking”, “free parking”, “no-parking zones” and “public off-street parking”. Also, residential parking permits for on-street parking will be issued to residents living in a parking zone.

Officials in the Municipal Corporation said the MC had started holding meetings over the matter. A number of spaces have been identified for the purpose. Overnight parking will also be allowed on notified roads in a manner that it does not cause congestion in residential areas.

Senior Town Planner (STP) Gautam Kumar of the MC said: “We are holding preliminary meetings to decide parking and no-parking zones in order to prevent congestion on streets. A particular width of streets to be earmarked for parking is also being decided upon.”

The officials said various private and government parking spaces would be utilised for general parking of vehicles in off-hours while a few new parking spaces would be created at the Ghas Mandi, Ragho Majra and other areas.

“Roads will be identified where temporary parking will be allowed from 9 pm to 6 am the next day. This will also clear the way for ambulances in residential areas. Also, parking area of the district courts adjacent to Mata Kaushalya Hospital among others will be used for general parking from 5.30 pm to 9 am when there are no office employees and advocates using the space,” an official said.

“We are also working on utilising land of Sanskrit Vidyalya at Sirhindi Bazaar for parking purposes and a piece of land belonging to a dera behind the AC market might also be used,” they added.