Puzzle parking lot remains unused; citizens want facility to be relocated

Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City project‘s puzzle parking remains unused due to its location. The project was sanctioned to address the parking issues in the city but remains unused since its opening. It was built on Indira Gandhi Glass House premises at MG Park at a cost of Rs 4.6 crore in April 2022.The commercial city of Hubballi is facing a severe parking crunch, exacerbating the woes of commuters. Inadequate parking facilities along main roads and commercial areas have led to constant struggle for parking spots. However, the public is unaware of the puzzle parking facility at MG Park. There are no nameplates or signboards anywhere in the city in this regard.The puzzle parking facility should have been built at one of the major places such as Koppikar Road, Broadway, and its surrounding areas. However, the authority and board members failed to identify a suitable place. Now, the puzzle parking facility is under the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), said citizens.Santosh Hanjagi, a resident of Heggeri, said parking is a major problem in congested areas. “If such parking facilities are provided in Shah Bazar, Dajiban Town, Koppikar Road, and market areas, the parking woes will be reduced. Therefore, the puzzle parking in the Indira Glass House premises should be shifted to a busy area,” he urged.Vijay Hosamath, a motorist from Hubballi, said with Hubballi city steadily growing, the lack of parking space is becoming a major issue. “Drivers regularly face parking problems as many people arrive in Hubballi for business, marketing, and other purposes. Vehicles coming to the city are increasing day by day. The parking lot built at Indira Glass House went unused,” he said. Rudresh Gali, Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Project (HDSCL) managing director and commissioner of HDMC, said the puzzle parking remains unused due to the flyover work. “We hope that after completion of the flyover work, the parking facility will be used. If not, a discussion will be held to consider its shifting to a suitable place,” he said.