BHUBANESWAR: A plethora of problems plague the Unit-II Market Building, one of the busiest markets in the city. Illegally parked two-wheelers outside the market and the resultant congestion have become a regular sight. Even as development works were undertaken on a large-scale in the market last year, the authorities concerned failed to set up adequate parking lots. The only parking space available is near the BMC Keshari Mall and behind Western Tower of the market, but that is too little considering the increasing footfalls and rising number of vehicles. Sources said the parking lot behind Western Tower is used by both two-wheelers and four-wheelers as a result of which not more than 200 vehicles can be accommodated at a given point of time. Under these circumstances, people are forced to park their vehicles all around the market choking the nearby roads. During peak hours, the shoppers literally wait for their turn or park their vehicles at a distance to walk down to the market, which is managed by BMC and Central Market Association (CMA) - a body of traders in the area. Prior to the beautification works that have already worn out due to lack of maintenance and encroachments, the BMC barred two-wheeler parking inside the complex. However, no alternative arrangement was made. CMA president Rabi Mohanty said though there were plans by the BMC to set up another parking lot and land was earmarked by the GA Department for the purpose, no work has been started yet. However, Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena asserted that the civic body was aware of the problem. “Provision for more parking lots in the Market Building will be made during renovation works that will be undertaken shortly in Unit-I Market,” he said.
Comments
0 comment