Much ado about paid parking system
For the second time, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has made a U-turn on the paid parking issue. Two days ago, it decided to reintroduce paid parking in Panchkula. A two-day trial run began at in the main markets of Sector 8, 9 and 10 on Saturday. Tenders for the management of parking lots were to be called this week. After three months, the system was to be converted into smart paid parking. The civic body was planning to charge users on the pattern of Chandigarh. Two- and four-wheelers were to be charged J10 and J20, respectively. But after opposition, the civic body has dumped its plan. Now, it will regulate the parking areas and come up with fixed rates.
New site for car bazar suggested
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation might shift the second-hand car bazar to Manimajra. A special committee, which was constituted by the mayor regarding the shifting of the car bazar from Hallomajra has now recommended that the shops be shifted to near sub-office Manimajra where parking space is available for about 700 cars. The place also has enough roads for driving trials. The car dealers’ association is said to have agreed to shift the bazar to Manimajra. The committee has suggested that the existing site at Hallomajra could be used to park tourist and school buses and private heavy vehicles so that the corporation earns revenue.
New waste management rule approved
The municipal corporation has approved the Solid Waste Management Rules-2018. Now, it will become mandatory for residents to hand over household waste to door-to-door collectors. Non-compliance will draw a fine of J200 for households. The amount for hotels and clubs is J10,000. Littering will invite a penalty of J5,000. Waste collectors will have to cough up J2,000 for not taking waste from house-holds. The same is fixed at J10,000 for non-residential units.
Change in flyover construction plan
The Chandigarh Administration has been told by the Ministry of Road and Surface Transport to cut down the length of the first proposed flyover of the city from 6.5 km to 1.5 km. The budget will come down from J800 crore to J250 crore. Currently, 1.43 lakh motorists daily use Dakshin Marg and Tribune roundabout. The project was conceived to ease traffic flow on Dakshin Marg, especially at the Tribune roundabout.
Larger space for vendors
The chief architect has approved new norms regarding vending slots in the city. Vending sites will now come up with 5 feet x 6 feet space so that vendors have sufficient space to sit and sell their goods. Meanwhile, the general house of the civic body has also approved vending by-laws, thus paving the way for the implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act. It had issued the draft by-laws in April and also sought public opinion on them.