Team Herald
PONDA: Ponda, the State’s temple town is currently facing a severe parking crisis, with roadside parking causing congestion.
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Vehicles are parked on both sides of all major roads in the town. The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) and the Ponda Traffic Cell had allotted some parking spaces by the roadside, but these too are often found congested with vehicles parked in a haphazard manner.
A local named Naresh Naik said, “The existing spaces in the town are falling short and there is a need to create more parking spaces. The commuters from remote areas find it difficult to get space to park their vehicles.”
The employees of various industrial estates also park their vehicles by the roadside and proceed to their workplace by bus. Till these workers return, these parking areas are full leaving no space for others to park their vehicles. This is causing hardship to those visiting the town for shopping and official work.
The vehicles are often parked by the roadside near the State Bank of India, garden road at PWD building, Ponda Fire Station, Tisk-Ponda near the government building which often leads to traffic congestion.
PMC officials said in a bid to decongest the town, the municipality had already adopted a resolution a few months ago to introduce pay parking, to solve the parking woes. Some people park their vehicles and leave them for hours, causing inconvenience to other commuters.
It was decided to introduce pay parking. Inspections were done to identify more parking spaces. The rates were also finalised which include Rs 5 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 10 for four-wheelers. However the pay parking plan is pending approval from the government.
