VISAKHAPATNAM: A FEW days ago, a senior citizen argued with the traffic police after they slapped a fine of `1,000 on him for parking his vehicle illegally near the Station Road. The senior citizen asked: “Where he should park? The shopping complex’s parking space is full of vehicles. Show me a place to park.” But, the cops paid no heed and the motorist left the place after paying the fine.
This is not for the first time that the motorists are made to pay fine sans facilities. In June last year, the police collected fines for illegal parking. The public questioned the GVMC about the prproposed parking slots. Though the cellar parking was the answer from the civic authorities, it has failed take off. Further, the proposed multi-cellar parking still remains a dream due to space and financial crunch. Now, the authorities are mulling options of “paid parking zones”. Will the paid parking and walking zones end the chaos is a moot question.
The city has no parking slots except from the ones on the Beach Road and near Diamond Park. Agencies run paid parking system at some places behind the Judge Court and at Gajuwaka.Authorities claim that the Smart City tag for the city will usher in several changes. Walking zones and paid parking will be among them the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for which is yet to be submitted by the USTDA, which is preparing the Smart City project plan.
Parking fee on cards
In order to reduce traffic congestions and parking problems at busy commercial areas, land will be identified near a landmark and will be declared as parking zone. Public will have to park their vehicles in the designated area and go by foot. Parking fee of `5 or `10 will be collected on hourly basis and it will be different for two, three and four-wheelers. The walking zone will not be more than 2 km. For example from NTR statue to Park Hotel on the RK Beach Road in Visakhapatnam is a walking zone from early morning to 7 am.
Paid parking best solution: Police
Police feel that paid parking is the best solution in the present circumstances. They claim that they had sent a proposal to the GVMC to set them up at busy areas. “A small area should be earmarked and the contract could be given to an agency which will collect charges on hourly basis. The whole area becomes free of congestion. The city will get a facelift with walking zones. We have suggested this to the GVMC long ago,” said ADCP (Traffic) K Mahendra Patrudu. The police say that once the area becomes no-entry for traffic, they would enforce it strictly. A traffic inspector said that some parking space near the Dutt Island has ushered in good change in that area. People park their vehicles at the spot and go for shopping or restaurants. Previously they used to park the vehicles on roads, disturbing the traffic flow. The proposal of road extension works in the One Town has prompted the locals to seek paid parking and walking zone systems in their congested areas.
Where should we park?
GVMC identifies areas for parking
GVMC officials said that they had already identified several areas for implementing paid parking and walking zones. Topping the list are Dabagardens, Diamond Park, Siripuram, Jagadamba Junction and Beach Road among others. “This is under the Smart City plan to ease traffic. We have identified areas and suggested to the the USTDA. The process is underway. Lands have to be sought. In Siripuram, we have to ask Andhra University for some land and there is also some land near Care Hospitals. The agencies could earn revenue by collecting parking fee,” said D Venkataratnam, the GVMC chief city planner. According to him, there are several works to be done before the concept is implemented. Venkataratnam explains: “In the case of the Beach Road, when we want to set up a walking zone, we have to create a separate service road for the local residents. We have to ask them about requirements as it should not disturb them.” However, the DPR will give the details very soon, he said.
Zones identified Dabagardens, Diamond Park, Siripuram, Jagadamba Junction, Beach Road.