GVMC set to address vehicle parking woes

Visakhapatnam: A plan to develop a multi-level car parking area in the port city has taken a shape with likely locations for the facility being identified. To resolve parking woes, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has identified the land near Jagadamba Junction. 

About 60,000 new veh-icles, including 7,000 cars, hit the city roads every year, according to RTA. There is, however, not adequate parking space for these vehicles leading to traffic snarls and accidents in the city.

“As part of the smart city project, the multi-level car parking (MLCP) would be taken up under the PPP model at an estimated cost of Rs 67 crore. A detailed project report (DPR) and request for proposal (RFP) were under preparation,” said GVMC commissioner M. Harinarayanan.

Some floors of the MLCP would be used for commercial purpose to ensure viability. 

MLCP at Jagadamba would be spread over 130 square metres which would be equipped with the latest technologies.

Two other MLCP have also been planned in the city with one in front of Kursura Museum and VUDA office. The two parking facilities would be taken up jointly by GVMC and VUDA.

Some of the bigger commercial complexes have provided space for vehicular parking but the smaller malls do not have any provision. Lack of parking lots in the busiest pockets in the city is forcing people to park their vehicles on the road, ending up paying hefty fines for parking the vehicle on no parking zone.

On the other hand, VUDA has planned to set up a multi-level parking to the west of City Central Park opposite the LIC Building. Later, on the south side, another multi-level parking is planned with restaurants on the top. VUDA has identified the location in view of huge traffic jams witnessed in and around RTC Complex, Dwarakanagar and Daba Gardens.