KOCHI:The parking woes of the city is reaching its zenith and this has forced the authorities to take expeditious steps to find a solution to the problem. It is towards this endeavour that the Greater Cochin Development Authority(GCDA) has decided to allot two acres of land, which is in its ownership, near the Ambedkar stadium as a parking spot.
“The area near the Ambedkar Stadium is lying idle for long time. The decision to convert the space in to a parking facility was taken after taking into consideration the problems faced by the people in parking their vehicles,” said GCDA Chairman N Venugopal.
This may in turn bring reprieve from the illegally parked vehicles that eat into the already narrow road. The lack of parking space near the KSRTC bus station will also thus end with the upcoming parking yard, which will prove to be a blessing for the people.
“We hope to spruce up the plot so that it is for parking vehicles by the end of this month, that is prior to the festival of Onam. The plot needs to be levelled so that there are no bumps and gutters. The levelling process will begin within days,” Venugopal said.
GCDA has already set up two such parking yards at Marine Drive and at it plot near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. These two parking spots have been set up on 2 and 3 acres of land respectively.
“If the parking fee at other centres is more than Rs 20, at our centres we have been charging around Rs 7 for one hour. Since the contract between the GCDA and the agency is still prevailing, we can’t trim the fee in other centres. It, however, will be same as like this from the next contract onwards,” Venugopal said.
He also said that the parking fees along the Manappattyparambu stretch will be charged from vehicles which are parked in the space belonging to GCDA. “Over 20 buses park on the land belonging to GCDA. We will charge them a particular amount as fee to park their vehicle. A monthly parking fee will be imposed,” he added.
Parking Space
■ GCDA has decided to allot two acres of land, near the Ambedkar stadium as a parking spot
■ The plot may be ready for parking by the end of this month, prior to Onam
■ The levelling process of the plot will begin within days
■ GCDA has already set up two such parking yards at Marine Drive and near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
■ These two parking spots have been set up on 2 and 3 acres of land respectively
■ The new parking space will bring respite from illegal parking near KSRTC bus station