VRISHANK MAHATME
Almost two months after the multi-level car parking facility was thrown open at Patto, Panjlm, the traffic flow in the area has not improved. The reason is simple, locals as well as tourists park on the streets around the facility rather than in the car park. It was inaugurated on October 31, and cost the exchequer Rs 98 crore and has a capacity to accommodate 465 cars built on an area of 2586 sq mts, but it has so far not achieved what it was meant for, leading to worry that this could be a white elephant.
Parking arrangements have been designed on a ground plus four levels, and around 87 cars can be parked on each level, with two circular ramps for free movement for a vehicle’s entry and exit. However, there are only a few takers for the facility with motorists – be it car or mini-bus owners and drivers – avoiding the parking facility and stationing their vehicles outside leading to traffic congestion.
“The amount of traffic outside the facility is huge and on weekends it gets worse. Why has this facility been built if the people are not ready to use it? The government has spent lots of money on this. The government said this would reduce traffic in the city, I don’t see any improvement, on the other hand I feel that there is more chaos and this being the tourist season it is worse,” Panjim resident Bhushan Raut said.
The parking facility was built in order to decongest the city traffic and improve vehicular movement in and around Panjim, but local residents point out that the exits of the facility are on the wrong side as once a vehicle exits it enters a point in the road where the traffic flows fast and with no staff outside to guide the vehicle by stopping traffic movement there is more chaos created.
Another local resident Darshan Sardesai said, “This facility is a complete waste of money, as most of the people just park outside the facility and near the sharp turn making it difficult for other motorists to have a smooth flow. If the aim is to decongest the traffic, proper plans should be executed so that it helps the locals as well, and not just tourists who come for a day or two.”
Herald visited the parking facility after 7pm and observed tourists parking their vehicles on the streets and even some locals parking their vehicles on the sharp turn just outside the facility and opposite the Santa Monica Jetty that leads to problems for motorists entering the city.
Panjim residents said just about half the facility gets occupied by the tourist vehicles who come for the river cruise boat rides and guests who visit the casinos, and though there is space in the building, most prefer to park on the roadside.
Speaking to Herald, Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado said, “The scenario outside the multi-level car parking is chaotic. They have made the wrong decision to keep parking bays outside the facility. Most of the people park there as there is no parking fee outside. If the authorities also start accepting fees for parking outside then some amount of this chaotic situation could reduce. One more thing is that commuters coming out of the facility have to wait for long as traffic is already choked up on the approach road to the facility.”
