KOLKATA: Wards in south Kolkata and along the fringes are set to get a few more notified parking lots. The KMC last week granted approval for the first parking area, where 20 vehicles can be kept, near Taratala state garage-Parnasree lake. The Kolkata Traffic Police said it would now send a list of other names to KMC.
Confirming the development, a DCP said, “Proposal for creating a new fee parking zone near the Taratala Road and Brace Bridge (Hyde Road) crossing on Grade Road has been approved.”
Sources in the DCP Traffic-South office said they planned to write to the KMC to re-introduce at least three fee parking zones along Diamond Harbour Road close to the Behala market. A similar plan has been drawn up for Bansdroni market. Cops said parking areas were much needed in congested Behala, Bansdroni, Jadavpur and Garia.
Senior Lalbazar officers said commissioner Vineet Goyal had asked all guards to come up with proposals for parking lot spots and the reasons for them. “We will propose a number of spots, explaining how they will help fight illegal parking and decongest important roads. The policy will not be restricted to KMC-added areas alone, but will be extended to the rest of the city,” said an officer.
The parking lot at Taratala was proposed by the Southwest Traffic guard a month ago. “Jinjira Bazar is a busy place, which sees a large volumes of traffic, including that of tankers, trailers and other heavy vehicles, plying to and from Budge Budge, Maheshtala and Kolkata. Vehicles ferrying essential commodities utilize the stretch to unload goods. Private vehicles also us the area. A parking lot is needed for vehicles coming to Jinjira Bazar,” the proposal said.
Police said while Taratala was a positive start, the focus was on DH Road. “No parking is allowed on DH Road, between Taratala up to Pailan. That makes it difficult for those visiting Behala or Chowrasta markets,” said an officer. DC (Traffic-South) Atul V said plans were on for proper parking near the markets. “...parking zones near Behala Sitala Mandir and Ashoka Cinema were discontinued. The one between Behala tram depot and No. 14 bus stand was also withdrawn. You are requested to rearrange all three,” said the letter, when Arijit Sinha, DCP (Traffic), was in charge of (Traffic-south).
