GS Road bogged down by regular traffic snarls, inadequate parking

Controlling traffic congestion in Guwahati is of prime concern and the lack of parking spaces adds to the problem. The busiest roads are regularly narrowed down by parked vehicles making it difficult for vehicles to ply. One of the main causes of this congestion is the increasing volume of traffic. In addition, city buses halt at unauthorized places to pick up passengers creating hindrances to the free flow of traffic.    Focussing on GS Road, the sharp increase of malls and residential/commercial buildings on this arterial street has added to the congestion. Lack of adequate parking lots is also a primary reason for the congestion that leads people to park their vehicles at any available space. It can be said that close to 80% of the commercial establishments on the entire GS Road do not have adequate parking spaces. The need of the hour is to have an organized parking system along with the allocation of specific land areas for the purpose.    While things often look hopeless, several measures are being adopted in order to mitigate such problems. Scenario in GS Road The ground situation on GS Road is that most of the business establishments here do not have parking facilities in accordance with the current parking norms. The civic body, although being aware of the fact, stops short of taking action as in such an eventuality against the erring business establishments around 80% of the shops will have to down their shutters. Lack of parking lots on the street leads to traffic congestion from as early as 8 in the morning to 9 in the evening.   The main reason behind the lack of adequate parking spaces on GS Road is that most business establishments here were on the ground floor in those days when parking was not a problem. However, with the increase in population and the volume of business in the city, these business establishments started to raise their buildings by constructing the upper floors. However, while doing so, they gave scant regard to parking facilities.   Road side parking was the only option and it only worsened the scenario. As the vehicles were parked haphazardly it not only caused traffic congestion but also ate up space for plying of vehicles. There are a total of 15 road-side parking allocations (2805 metres) on the GS Road stretch where four-wheelers are charged Rs. 10 and two-wheelers Rs. 5 and an additional Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 respectively for each consecutive hour. The procedure burns a hole in the pockets of those who have to park their vehicle multiple times at different allocations on a single day. Parallel parking A concept of parallel parking (bumper-to-bumper) has been recently put into place on several major roads of the city. The motive of the move is to allow more space for vehicles to ply than be consumed by parked vehicles on the road-side. Such a system is basically employed whenever parking facilities are not available - usually in large metropolitan areas where there is a high density of vehicles and few parking spaces. Parallel parking frees up an extra traffic lane. Beyond taking up a lane of traffic, on-street parking further reduces road capacity as remaining traffic slows to interact with cars moving in and out of parallel parking spaces, car doors opening and pedestrians.   On the same, AmanjeetKaur, DCP Traffic had stated that the main purpose of roads is for travelling and not parking and with parallel parking in place it will help in reducing the space consumed by the vehicles and provide more space for commuting. There could be two approaches to solve these problems. The first, most common solution is to come up with infrastructure involving wider roads, flyovers, bypasses, expressways etc. The second approach is to manage the traffic with existing safe infrastructure and with the use of technology. No parking levy at commercial complexes The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), in a recently issued notification, mentioned that commercial complexes have to provide parking space for customers free-of-cost. High rises, especially malls that are charging exorbitant rates for parking, will have to follow the GMC norm.   There are several major shopping malls on GS Road that used to charge hefty amounts from customers as parking fees - up to Rs 20 from each customer. GMC officials mentioned that the newly carved out building by-laws clearly states that a building should have adequate parking area for customers and a building will not be allotted a licence if there is no adequate parking space. Provisions such as parking space and lifts are integral parts of the building by-laws. Thus, in order to relieve the customers of the parking fees, GMC has issued a notification that if a customer can produce a document issued by the commercial complex of the shopping mall, the customer will be relieved of the parking fee. However, the notification also states that customers who did not make any purchase from the shopping malls are still liable to parking or maintenance fee charged by the management of the building. On the same, the DCP Traffic said that if a commercial establishment is found violating the norm it is liable to a penalty of Rs 20,000. Incidents of violation of the norm can directly be reported to DCP Traffic. “If any commercial establishment is found violating the parking norm then customers can file a complaint on the city traffic’s Facebook page wherein I personally reply to each message,” Kaur said adding, “I have circulated my phone number and anyone can either send me a picture of proof of such violations or directly contact me.”   The DCP also said that customers can also lodge a complaint by dialling 100 or with any traffic official present at the location and necessary action will be taken.   • There are a total of 15 road-side parking allocations on GS Road that stretches up to 2805 metres • There are 73 road-side parking spots throughout the city • Four-wheelers are charged Rs. 10 and two-wheelers Rs. 5 with an additional Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 respectively for every subsequent hour. This burns a hole in the pockets of those who have to park multiple times List of city parking places for the year 2016-17 (For 9 months w.e.f 1st July 2016 to 31st March 2017)     FOUND ANY VIOLATORS OF PARKING NORM? FILE YOUR COMPLAINT TO GUWAHATI CITY TRAFFIC https://www.facebook.com/GuwahatiCityTraffic/?ref=br_rsOR LEAVE A MESSAGE TO DCP, TRAFFIC ON 9854010590   Stay updated on the go with GPlus News. Click here to download the app for your device.