Despite the pressing need to streamline parking on the city’s chaotic roads, the government seems dragging its feet in forming a ‘Parking Policy’. A highly placed source of the government has informed, the proposed policy suggests keeping on street parking facility, and a paid-parking system based on the area across the capital city on lease management basis.
The proposal showed that RAJUK, City Corporation, and the local authority have to take permission from Dhaka Transport Co-ordination Authority (DTCA) to identify parking spots in their respective areas. The proposed proposal also emphasises on parking at Railway station, Bus station and Airport so that visitors can park anywhere in these certain parking places and again get their vehicles when they return. To this end, the authority concerned proposed a ‘Park and Ride’ system.
DTCA authority is now taking public opinion for the proposal, later they will send it to the Cabinet after ministry meeting. It will be effective from the first day of publication of gazette notification. Once the policy is approved, it will be applicable in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Gazipur and Narsingdi district areas.
During the past few years, when the city roads started being overcrowded with the boom of two wheelers and light vehicles, the authority concerned felt the need to introduce pay-and-park facility.
The policy also state, different types of parking fees for working and holidays. Parking spots will be identify through thermoplastic painting. Besides to collect the parking fee, the proposal also stressed on digital device and radio frequency identification for vehicle identification.
In the meantime, both city corporations of Dhaka have identified 19 parking spot and leased them. Of them, Dhaka North City Corporation have 13 on street parking spots. However, if the new policy is approved, both city corporation have to take permission from DTCA.
DTCA traffic engineer Md Anisur Rahman told Bangladesh Post that, they have published the policy on their website and invite public opinion by posting ads on daily newspapers. Considering the feedback, final policy will sent to ministry.
“Within January 26, we will have all the feedbacks, based on which we will prepare the final draft and sent it to concern ministry for approval”, he added.
