Chandigarh residents see red over parking blues

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Chandigarh: Residents across Chandigarh are increasingly getting frustrated about the persistent parking challenges in the city. From congested lanes to mismanaged commercial parking lots, citizens are urging authorities to implement effective solutions.In Sectors 8 and 9, residents report that visitors often park vehicles on pavements and near residential gates, obstructing access and leading to frequent disputes. Despite traffic police issuing fines for such violations, the problem continues, causing significant inconvenience to locals.Ankush, a local resident in Sector- 8 said, “No emergency vehicle can come inside the residential area because of the huge rush. Normal residents are suffering. People park their vehicles anywhere they feel like, we have complained but no action has been taken yet.”Markets in sectors 17 and 22 often experience haphazard parking. Rajan, a local vendor, said, “They let traffic in from both sides, entry and exit causing jams. There is no one to look into the matter once they charge the parking fee and give you the slip.” The city’s “smart parking” initiative has also come under scrutiny.

Despite promises of parking solutions, many remain unmanaged, with vehicles parked haphazardly. Residents note that the lack of proper guidance and enforcement has rendered the system ineffective, further complicating the parking situation.Anil Kumar, a shopkeeper, said, “Government can convert unused spaces into parking areas and reducing parking fees to discourage illegal parking.”Furthermore, there’s a call for the administration to enhance public transportation options, encourage carpooling, and involve Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in decision-making processes to develop tailored solutions for each sector’s unique needs.As Chandigarh continues to grow, the parking crisis underscores the need for immediate and effective solutions. The residents hope that their voices will lead to an actionable change, ensuring smoother traffic flow and improved quality of life in the city.