AMC allots 102 plots for parking to ease traffic woes

Ahmedabad: In a bid to ease mounting traffic congestion and parking woes across the city, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has allocated 102 plots to private commercial complexes for use as parking spaces across its seven administrative zones.According to civic officials, the plots have been leased on a temporary basis for one year with a fixed rent and property tax collection policy. The initiative has been undertaken by AMC’s estate department to tackle the growing problem of roadside parking, particularly in commercial hubs where dedicated parking facilities are inadequate.The highest number of plots — 33 — has been allotted in the Northwest Zone, followed by 21 in the East Zone, 18 in the North Zone, 12 each in the West and Southwest zones, and six in the South Zone.Officials said the move was aimed at reducing traffic bottlenecks caused by vehicles being parked on roads outside shopping centres, office complexes and commercial establishments. Areas in western Ahmedabad, including Sarkhej and Jodhpur, have witnessed persistent congestion due to the absence of sufficient parking infrastructure in commercial complexes.Under the Southwest Zone alone, AMC has allocated open plots to 12 commercial units strictly for “only parking purpose”. Several Town Planning (TP) plots in Makarba, Vejalpur, Bodakdev and Sarkhej have been earmarked for parking facilities.Additional plots located behind the YMCA Club, along Anandnagar Road, SG Highway, Prahladnagar Road, Corporate Road and near Karm College have also been approved for parking use.Civic authorities said the leased plots are intended exclusively for vehicle parking and cannot be used for any other commercial activity.The AMC has collected Rs 41.53 lakh as rent, Rs 1.04 lakh as GST and Rs 10.38 lakh as security deposits from applicants. The total revenue earned from the Southwest Zone allocations alone stands at Rs 52.96 lakh.