SANTOSH NAIK
One of the major hardship Ponda localas face these days is getting a parking space in their locality. It’s been said in a jovial way that one would get a flat to buy in Ponda but not a space to park their vehicle. It’s because in the recent decade, the population, as well as the number of vehicles have increased tremendously without any corresponding planning or infrastructure to cater to the rising parking requirements.
Ponda is located in the heart of the city with all the major establishments such as government offices, markets, schools, banks, etc. But the existing parking places have fallen short when it comes to providing space for a population of 1.5 lakh people with most of them having either a two-wheeler or four-wheeler.
In recent years, a large number of migrants have settled in Ponda. The city also attracts a lot of visitors on a daily basis given its status as the headquarters of the taluka. Due to this, residents find it difficult to park their vehicles and finally end up parking by along the roadside leading to traffic congestion.
One of the other major reasons why Ponda is getting congested is due to the rise in residential and commercial projects with many of them converting their parking spaces into shops after getting all the required approvals. The Sub District Hospital and the Ponda Government Buildings are the only ones, who have basement parking facilities which are also used largely by the staff members leaving very little area for the general public to park.
The areas that face the highest traffic congestion include the markets, schools, government offices, banks, police station, Bagayat Bazaar, etc.
Speaking of a solution to the parking issue, Umesh Naik, a local resident from Ponda had suggested shifting few schools, petrol pumps and the Bayatdar Bazaar to the outskirts of the city, so that the people coming from various parts of taluka could at least have some space in the market to park their vehicles. He said that it could be a possible solution as Ponda city has so many bypass roads connecting to the outskirts.
The timing of schools and offices, which often clash during the morning and evening, lead to the peak traffic hours. Parents, who come to collect and drop their children to different schools, usually park their vehicles on the roadside disrupting the traffic flow. Besides these, with tuition coaching classes flourishing, the same parking on the roadside issues, leads to further chaos.
When asked about parking provision plans, Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Chairperson Pradeep Naik, said he is aware of the shortage of parking space and for now they have provided parking spaces with markings at various places in the city. With the commencement of rain, people keep their bikes at home and visit the city with their cars, which also adds to the traffic woes due to the size of these vehicles.
He added that PMC is trying its best to solve the traffic and parking problems.
He pointed out that PMC has plans to demolish the old dilapidated Shastri building and build a new one with parking spaces. The civic body also plans to demolish the existing old municipal building and provide the area for parking. In addition, PMC is also acquiring 500 square metres of land near the golden jubilee project site, which will help in providing parking spaces.
