The Times of India              30.01.2014 

NMC plans pay-and-park in Dharampeth

NAGPUR: Undeterred by failures in the past, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started the process to introduce pay-and-park on the roads to ease traffic congestion and provide proper parking, especially in market areas. The proposal has been prepared to introduce pay and park system in Dharampeth on West High Court (WHC) Road between Law College square and Shankar Nagar Square.

The NMC traffic department has prepared the proposal and tabled before municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane for approval. After getting a nod, the expression of interest will be called from bidders followed by introducing the system for the first time on this busy stretch.

Corporator Parinay Fuke had requested for pay and park on this stretch. Earlier proposals of pay and park on a few roads in the city met with failure following strong opposition from corporators. Proposals of Link Road in Sadar and Sitabuldi main market road were thrown into dustbins even after work orders were issued to private agencies for operation and maintenance of pay and park.

Traffic engineer Nasir Khan told TOI the WHC road between Law College square and Shankar Nagar square is among 86 roads suggested for pay-and-park by the traffic police department in 2010. "NMC took efforts to launch the system on 54 roads in 2010 and then on four roads in 2012 but could not succeed. Pay-and-park is in effect only on one stretch, between Lokmat Square and Panchsheel Square," he said.

Fuke said pay-and-park only solution to provide proper parking on WHC road in Dharampeth. "Parking is haphazard on this stretch. A few buildings have no parking space although it is mandatory. NIT's parking place in the complex adjacent to Gokulpeth market is getting no response. Pay and park will also ensure safety of vehicles," he said.