Kolkata: A recent survey conducted in Kolkata highlighted a growing crisis in urban mobility, with on-street parking occupying a significant portion of road space and contributing to traffic congestion.
The study revealed that 37.6% of vehicles remain perpetually parked on city streets while 89.8% of the surveyed areas experience double-lane parking; 80.3% face haphazard parking; 52.9% deal with unauthorised parking. The lack of a comprehensive parking policy has allowed vehicles to encroach upon the limited road space, exacerbating traffic snarls and impeding movement of public and private transport.
The research report, ‘Navigating Parking Chaos’, prepared by SwitchON Foundation and India Clean Air Network (iCAN), aims to shed light on the issue and promote sustainable mobility in the city. The survey revealed that frequent obstruction of public transport vehicles, like buses and autos, was a prominent issue, with 77% of respondents citing this as a major concern. Additionally, 60.2% of respondents reported difficulty to access public transport due to vehicles parked on roads.
Pedestrians and cyclists are also affected, with 68.6% reporting blockages of pavements and cycle lanes. Additionally, 65% of respondents highlighted the deterioration of pavements due to indiscriminate parking.
Kolkata saw a record increase in vehicle registrations in 2022, with 34,963 cars added to its streets — the highest in the city’s history. But the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. Only 6% of Kolkata’s land area is allocated for transportation, compared to 23% in Delhi and 18% in Mumbai. Despite efforts by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to regulate parking through fee structures and designated zones, the shortage of off-street parking facilities is a pressing issue. The situation is particularly dire in commercial and institutional areas, where demand for parking far exceeds available space, forcing vehicles onto already congested roads.
The survey covered high-traffic zones in Kolkata, like BBD Bag-Dalhousie, Burrabazar, College Street-Bowbazar, Sealdah, Rajabazar, Behala Sakher Bazar, Rashbehari Avenue-Lake Market, and Salt Lake’s Karunamoyee. These areas, known for their dense commercial activity, witness severe traffic disruptions due to poor parking practices.
With Kolkata’s vehicles steadily increasing, a parking policy must be implemented to prevent further deterioration of urban mobility. Citizens and govt need to work together to create a parking ecosystem that supports sustainable urban transport while minimising disruptions. The respondents emphasised the need for designated parking zones, including underground and multi-storied parking lots, and steep fines for illegal parking, among other steps.
