The Times of India 19.08.2010
Parking woes at Kalyaninagar
PUNE: Residents of Kalyaninagar are facing a major problem with the pay-and-park system introduced in the locality recently. Residents said that parking on both sides of the road and unauthorised pay and park’ in the bylanes were creating chaos. They also complained that the locality, which was totally a residential area, has turned into a highly commercial one with IT parks and shopping malls coming in.
Col (retd.) Pratap Chavan has brought this problem to the notice of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which has turned a blind eye to it. Chavan said, “The contract for pay-and-park system has been given to a private contractor for two years. The PMC has authorised the contractor to run this service on particular roads. However, the pay and park system has been extended to bylanes as well, which is unauthorised.”
According to a PMC letter, the pay-and-park service is applicable only from Gold Adlabs to Kalyaninagar bridge, from Gold Adlabs to Bishop’s school, to Kalyani bungalow, from Gold Adlabs to HSBC Bank to Desai chowk and from Nagar road to Don Bosco school. However, residents said that lanes and bylanes, such as the ones opposite Jogger’s Park, besides Mamata market, and road no. 11 among others have also been made pay and park.
Local resident Nirmala Kheny said, “The roads in Kalyaninagar are not wide enough for parking as it used to be a purely residential area till the IT companies and commercial establishments came up. Still cars are allowed to park on both sides of the road.”
The residents have also opposed to construction of a huge shopping mall near Kalyani bungalow. Statira Wadia said, “The shopping mall shouldn’t have been given permission in the first place. It is purely a residential area and the commercial building has caused nuisance to the people living here. The narrow lane is congested during peak hours as cars are parked on both sides of the road and there’s a rickshaw stand at the beginning of this lane. The place is in total chaos.”
Surendra Agarwal, chairman of Kalyaninagar Residents Association has taken the issue to the traffic police as well.
The residents have suggested that the contract for pay and park must be given to some social group instead of a private party.” The residents association has taken up social issues in the past and has appointed traffic wardens, engaged people in night patrolling and also involved in collecting wet and dry garbage. They can easily deal with the parking problem. We fear that the contractor is charging high rates.”
When contacted, a PMC official said that the matter will be looked into and corrective measures will be taken.
