Bhopal: New Market multilevel parking that was inaugurated remotely by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, was supposed to be a Bhopal ‘smart’ city initiative. However, ground reality is far different, to say the least. “Everyone here is from Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh),” said Rahul Tiwari, claiming to be the supervisor of the multilevel parking at MP Nagar.
At the entrance, the sudden outdoor and indoor light is much noticeable.
Seldom do women use the parking zone. The feature of the entrance for two-wheelers is a cemented pot, which should have had a green plant. Tiwari uses it for spitting his mouthful of pan masala/gutkha that he is chewing.
The ‘smart parking’ has a very hard to distinguish entry sign. When four wheelers entry through the two-wheeler’s entry, Tiwari and his assistant scream at the top of the voice to give “directions”. The tone is inexcusable — more like lamenting the blame on the driver. When the parking was inaugurated, customized automated controls were somehow in place. On Sunday there was a handheld machine dispensing parking tickets. Two staffers on a cozy office chair missed a bin in the middle, paper scattered all over. “Why do you have to educate people that ‘free parking’ is available on the outside,” questioned Tiwari.
At least his secret is not out: thanks to CCTV footage that somehow remains unseen or unnoticed by the BMC or smart city corporation. He could be shelling out Rs 5,000 in the name of Swach fine in Bhopal, 650 km away from the hometown. The prime real-estate building is now like his home.