SURAT: Few cars are parked in the multi-level pay-and-park facility built on the Rs 100 crore land just behind the textile market on the Ring Road. It has been converted into a kennel by stray dogs and a shelter by labourers. Thousands still continue to park their vehicles on the roads there.

Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) built the Science Centre in City Light, a posh area with sufficient underground parking facility. However, people have not shown much interest in this facility too. At least 40 cars can been seen parked daily outside the compound on the main City Light Road.

Surat is one of the most developed cities in the country but it doesn't have a viable parking policy.

"The prime reason is lack of coordination between traffic police and SMC," said Kanti Bhanderi, chairman of the Town Planning (TP) committee of SMC.

A traffic cop is scared to touch a two-wheeler at Mini Bazaar in Varachha but would two away a vehicle from Ghod Dod Road for parking in a 'No parking' zone.

"You can't have different rules for different areas. Rules should be same be it Varachha, City Light, Ghod Dod Road, Kumbhariya or Katargam," Bhanderi said.

Rajesh Pandya, parking in-charge, SMC, said, "We need to quickly formulate a parking policy for the city to end this chaos."Municipal commissioner Manoj Das said, "The number of multi-layer parking facilities will have to be increased. We are making a provision for it in the new detailed project report."