Steps recommended for addressing parking woes

HYDERABAD:

Implementation of laws for parking space in shopping malls is imperative to addrerss the parking issue which results in traffic jams in the city, said Traffic and Road Safety Foundation.

Shopping malls and plazas have designated parking areas in the maps and master plans they show to the authorities. However, once the plans are approved, and construction starts, the parking area is either changed into warehouses or more shops and stores in the malls.

Therefore, the most basic issue of parking can be resolved by implementing the map from day one.

Traffic and Road Safety Foundation Chairman Jave Iqbal has proposed a series of recommendations to Deputy Commissioner Zainul Abideen Memon to address the growing parking challenges in the second largest urban centre of Sindh, particularly the issue of illegal and unregulated parking outside shopping malls and major markets.

Iqbal said that the increasing number of shopping malls has led to a lack of organised parking facilities, resulting in frequent traffic congestion, a rise in accidents, and inconvenience for the public.

To mitigate these issues, the foundation has proposed several measures, including the mandatory implementation of designated parking areas for shopping malls. It has been recommended that mall management ensure vehicles are parked within their premises, with penalties imposed for violations.

Moreover, the deployment of trained parking staff, the introduction of valet parking services, and the establishment of direct communication between traffic police and mall administrations have been suggested to ensure swift action in case of emergencies.

Further recommendations include the clear demarcation of parking spaces on roads, stringent action against double parking, and the regulation of rickshaw and motorcycle parking. The proposal also calls for a ban on illegal rickshaw parking and the allocation of dedicated public parking areas. Moreover, it has been suggested that new parking permits should not be issued without approval from the traffic police and the District Traffic Management Board. Directional signs should also be placed at the entrances and exits of shopping malls to improve traffic flow.

Iqbal stressed that the interests of a few shopping malls and parking mafias should not come at the expense of the broader public. He emphasized that implementing these recommendations would significantly enhance traffic management and reduce accidents in the city.

The urgency of these measures has been underscored by a recent tragic incident in which a young man lost his life and two others were injured due to parking-related chaos during the inauguration of a shopping mall. The proposed steps aim to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure a safer and more organised urban environment.