MC survey to identify new parking sites in Chandigarh

The Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to conduct a fresh survey to identify locations where temporary parking lots can be developed, keeping in view the increasing rush at the existing facilities in the city.

The order for the survey has been issued by the MC Chief Engineer after the General House meeting held yesterday.

The order, issued to all three wings of the road division, says the report should include location details, approximate area available, present land use, feasibility of temporary parking and scope for upgrade, along with brief recommendations. A comprehensive report with site details and photographs shall be submitted to this office at the earliest so that the matter can be tabled in the next General House meeting.

Officials said the city was getting clogged with the increasing number of private vehicles every year. As per the latest statistics, there are 11 lakh vehicles in the city, of which 35% are cars. Per capita vehicle ownership per house in Chandigarh is four. Besides, a lot of intercity traffic comes from the neighbouring states every day. Around 1.53 lakh vehicles enter or leave “Chandigarh Urban Complex” on a working day.

Official data from the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA) reveals that as many as 2,21,497 new vehicles were registered in the city during the past five years alone, underlining an unrelenting vehicle boom and reinforcing Chandigarh’s position among cities with the highest per capita vehicle density in the country.

The existing parking lots are facing an acute shortage of space during the peak hours.