Bhubaneswar: Aiming at tackling the growing problem of erratic parking on streets, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to roll out a paid parking system in residential neighbourhoods.The move, officials say, will not only ease congestion in lanes and by-lanes but also generate additional revenue for the civic body.According to BMC additional commissioner Kailash Chandra Dash, zonal deputy commissioners have been directed to identify vacant govt land across wards. These plots will be developed into designated parking lots for residents who own cars but lack personal parking space. “We will identify vacant govt land in every ward so that it becomes the designated parking space of that particular area. We will use our resources to develop the parking lot. We will charge a minimal fee since the ones having a car will have to park it on a daily basis. We may also think about a monthly or annual fee structure for people’s convenience,” Dash says.Officials emphasise that the system will ensure the safety and security of vehicles, while keeping parking facilities close to residents’ homes. Depending on the size of a ward and the number of cars parked on roads, multiple parking lots may be developed. Once suitable land is identified, the BMC will finalise modalities for operating the paid parking system.The move comes amid mounting complaints from corporators and residents about worsening traffic conditions in the residential areas. Narrow lanes have become increasingly clogged as commercial activities mushroom, leaving little space for vehicles.Earlier, the BMC had announced plans to conduct a thorough survey of wards to regulate both parking and commercial establishments. Civic officials say that commercial centres using the govt land for customer parking may also be asked to pay fees.The proposed system is expected to bring relief to residents who struggle with haphazardly parked vehicles blocking access to homes and community spaces.By monetising parking, the corporation hopes to create a sustainable model that discourages indiscriminate parking on streets while funding infrastructure improvements.The initiative is still in its planning stage, but officials believe it could significantly improve the city’s residential environment.
