Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated an expression of interest (EoI) to engage a firm to identify parking space for around 3,000 cars under the intelligent parking system (IPS) project, better known as on-street parking project.
The project envisages identification of space for parking 3,000 four-wheelers on the Vani Vihar and Shishu Bhawan stretch.
However, BMC, on a pilot project basis, is focusing on the area between Master Canteen and Rajmahal Square, after pulling down illegal structures encroaching upon footpaths and the road on that stretch.
The proposal envisages dedicated spaces for auto-rickshaw parking lots to reduce the chaos prevailing on the streets.
“The city is facing a parking problem as around 90 per cent of all parking demand is on street. BMC is looking for an agency to design, develop, operate and maintain the intelligent parking system in Bhubaneswar,” municipal commissioner Krishan Kumar said.
The firm will have to install information display sign boards, central control station applications and provide geographical information system (GIS)-based services to identify parking spaces.
A senior official said that the project is not only aimed at streamlining on-street parking but also at generating revenue from the proposed parking lots on the stretch.
However, the proposal is also drawing criticism from a section of town planning management experts. “If around 20 per cent of the space of the road is kept for on-street parking lots, where would the cyclists go?” asked urban management expert Piyush Rout.
