As Guwahati finds itself at its wits’ end with the urban surge, the chronic shortage of parking space in government offices and police stations is emerging as a pressing concern, hindering daily life and demanding urgent attention
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It’s 9 AM and time for Mitali Roy to set out for the District Commissioner’s office where he has to attend to some important work. As he is about to open the door to get inside the car, a question assails him: Should he drive or should he take a cab or any other public vehicle?
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At another corner of the city, and at around the same time, Dhruba Rajkhowa is confronted with the same question.
Mitali Roy and Dhruba Rajkhowa are not the only ones in the city who have to grapple with this question every day; a single worry binds all of them together: will they get space to park their vehicles?
The residents of Guwahati have been grappling with the persistent issue of parking that has been causing inconvenience and frustration. The scarcity of parking space in government offices and police stations has emerged as a significant concern, hindering the smooth functioning of these essential establishments.
Navigating through the maze of government offices and police stations, one is met with a familiar sight – vehicles occupying every available inch of space, leaving little room for visitors and citizens to park theirs. This problem has become so prevalent that it has started to hamper the primary purpose of these institutions – to provide efficient solutions and services to the public.
"It's a nightmare trying to find a parking spot whenever I have to visit the government offices or the police station," lamented Bhabesh Sharma, a resident.
"I end up circling around for what seems like an eternity, only to give up and park illegally, risking a fine," he further added
The issue of parking space crunch is not new to Guwahati, but its persistence has aggravated the situation. With a growing population and increasing vehicular traffic, the demand for parking space has surged, while the available infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
"I often have to visit the police station for official matters, but finding a parking space is always a challenge," shared Mala Kaushik, another resident.
"It's not just about convenience; it's about the time and energy wasted in trying to navigate through the chaos of vehicles," Mala added.
The impact of this parking space crunch extends beyond mere inconvenience, it affects the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. Citizens, already burdened with the challenges of daily life, are forced to allocate additional time and resources to manage parking, detracting from their ability to access essential services promptly.
"The lack of parking space not only inconveniences citizens but also affects the productivity of our offices," explained an employee at a government establishment, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Visitors spend precious time searching for parking space, leading to delays in addressing their concerns and queries."
Efforts to alleviate the parking woes in Guwahati have been irregular and largely ineffective. While some government offices and police stations have implemented temporary solutions such as designated parking areas, these measures have failed to address the root cause of the problem – inadequate infrastructure and planning.
"It's time for authorities to take decisive action to address this issue," remarked Sanjay Das, a concerned citizen. "The lack of parking space not only inconveniences residents but also reflects poorly on the city's infrastructure and management."
The need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the parking crisis in Guwahati cannot be overstated. It requires a multi-faceted approach that encompasses infrastructure development, urban planning, and public awareness campaigns.
"We need a long-term strategy that considers the future growth of the city and addresses the parking needs of its residents," asserted Gagan Sharma, a resident of Hengerabari. "This issue cannot be resolved overnight, but concerted efforts and proactive measures are essential to make meaningful progress."
The office of the Kamrup Metro District Commissioner is one of the prime examples of parking chaos. Due to the unavailability of spaces, vehicles occupy most of the road further aggravating the traffic conditions.
Speaking to GPlus, a senior official of DC office said, "We have a space adjacent to the office. Mostly, people are unaware of it. But, as the establishment is years there might be a few problems. However, there won't be many problems once we shift to the new location at Rupnagar."
Similarly, several other offices like the Public Works Department, Dispur Police Station, Geetanagar Police Station and others are often noticed in a mess. A few police stations even have the wrecked vehicles from various accidents in front of the building occupying most of the roads.
While speaking to GPlus, a senior police official said, "Most of the police stations under the MOITRI scheme don't have any such problems. There's adequate space for the public. Yes, there are times when the drivers of the office vehicles park in a manner which doesn't leave much space for others. But, we have given strict instructions not to do so. We even cleared off several vehicles which were damaged due to accidents. There might be a few exceptions but we will make sure to provide better facilities for the public."
As Guwahati grapples with the challenges of urbanisation and modernisation, the issue of parking scarcity in government offices and police stations serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive urban planning and infrastructure development.