New Market parking space -- choked and unkempt

BHOPAL: Earlier, there was just lack of space. Now, the BMC parking lots are ill-maintained too.
A two-wheeler parking space, stretching from Roshanpura square to Rangmahal square, has dilapidated roads and damaged grilles installed for demarcating the parking space. "There is no proper cemented surface for parking two-wheelers. What exists is only a long stretch of dilapidated road," Vishwas Gupte and Aneesh Mathew, commuters, said.
So is the condition of the BMC parking space opposite BSNL office in New Market. "There is no proper concrete ground for parking four-wheelers. The condition becomes worst during monsoon," commuters Indu Meshram and Shobhna V Madhvan said.
"Approximately 60-70 four-wheelers can be accommodated here. Since the corporation is planning to set up a multi-level parking here, the authorities are not taking any steps to improve the condition of the existing parking space. It, however, is a far cry."
The municipal authorities said 5,000 two-wheelers and four-wheelers ply in and around the New Market every day. There are about 1,000 small, medium and big shops in the area. Considering vehicular traffic, the shopping hub city has a limited existing parking space. Currently, not more than 2,000 vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers can be parked in the marked parking areas. The proposed parking space can accommodate more than 3,000 vehicles at a time in an organized manner.
However, unaware of the existing condition of the parking space, BMC commissioner Rajneesh Shrivastava said, "Since you have brought it to our notice, we will inspect the area and make the necessary improvement."
On questioning about the parameters of the BMC parking space for four-wheelers, the commissioner said, "Even though the maintenance of parking space is given on lease, the development of a proper parking space with cemented flooring and proper infrastructure is the responsibility of the BMC."
BOX:
Unlike New Market, the parking lots in old Bhopal are very organized and well-maintained with proper cemented and even floor, entry and exits and proper parking assistants.
prachi.mujumdar@timesgroup.com