visakhapatnam: Though parking woes in the city have been on the rise for the last five to ten years, three wheelers and four wheelers have just one certified parking zone in visakhapatnam city, the Beach Road. A city with almost three million residents and over 12 lakh vehicles, including eight lakh bikes and four lakh heavy vehicles, it is feared that the lack of parking space will soon make commuters vulnerable to parking violations. At present, more than 2,000 people pay fines for parking violations every day. Talking to NEWS, additional deputy commissioner of police M Ramesh Kumar said, “Technically any area not marked as parking zone is a no-parking zone.


”He further added that it was the job of the Greater visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to develop more parking lots. Traffic police in the city charge Rs 500 for parking violations. Speaking about the issue, GVMC chief city planner, AJ Vidyulatha said, “On the one hand we are told to reduce carbon mobility and discourage usage of private vehicles and encourage the public to utilise the public transportation system. However, in visakhapatnam, there is no integrated public transport system in place, forcing the public to use private transport.” She added that all roads over and above 60 feet wide have been marked as on-street parking areas.


Regarding parking issues in commercial complexes, she added, “It is a catch-22 situation for the public as well as the GVMC. As per our norms we provide 30% plus 3% of the total built up area for parking with 30% for residents or employees and owners, and the remaining for visitors.” VMRDA, the main urban development authority in the region, is proposing to develop two new parking lots, one right next to the VMRDA complex and another near Museum complex


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