3 weeks ago
Siliguri opens 800-vehicle parking lot to ease traffic congestion
A new parking lot has opened in Siliguri, a big city in north Bengal.
It is at the Mela Ground near the Kanchanjunga Stadium, close to Bidhan Road.
The parking lot is big enough for around 800 vehicles.
For the first 15 days, parking will be free for cars and two-wheelers.
After that, city officials and local traders will decide how much it should cost.
The parking area is divided into two zones — one for shop owners and one for shoppers visiting the markets.
Traders at Bidhan Market are happy because people often struggled to find parking and some even stopped visiting the markets.
The city hopes the new lot will reduce traffic jams and boost trade before the Durga Puja festival.
Earlier, a new bridge over Burdwan Road also opened to help traffic move more smoothly.
A minister also asked for notices to be sent to some former city councillors about money used for a garbage and waste project.
A parking area with capacity for around 800 vehicles was opened at the Mela Ground of Kanchanjunga Stadium in Siliguri, off Bidhan Road.
Parking will be free for cars and two-wheelers for the first 15 days, after which the fee structure will be decided by the SMC, Siliguri Metropolitan Police and local trade bodies.
The lot has two zones: one earmarked for traders of Bidhan Market, Seth Srilal Market and Khudirampally, and the other for people visiting the markets.
It is the second major anti-congestion step in recent weeks, after a road overbridge at Burdwan Road opened on July 27; full readiness is expected before Durga Puja.
Separately, Shankar Ghosh ordered notices to former Trinamool Congress councillors over unsubmitted bank statements of solid waste management project funds.
- Who
- State tourism minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh, Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), Siliguri Metropolitan Police, Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority and Bidhan Market traders.
- What
- A new parking area with capacity for around 800 vehicles opened at the Mela Ground of Kanchanjunga Stadium, with free parking for the first 15 days and two zones for traders and market visitors.
- Where
- Siliguri, the largest urban hub in north Bengal, at the Mela Ground of Kanchanjunga Stadium off Bidhan Road.
- When
- The parking area was opened on Monday; a road overbridge at Burdwan Road had opened on July 27, and full readiness is expected before Durga Puja.
- Why
- To ease traffic congestion in prominent areas of Siliguri and relieve parking problems faced by people visiting the city's markets.
Key facts
- Parking capacity
- Around 800 vehicles
- Location
- Mela Ground, Kanchanjunga Stadium, off Bidhan Road, Siliguri
- Free parking period
- First 15 days for cars and two-wheelers
- Layout
- Two zones — traders (Bidhan Market, Seth Srilal Market, Khudirampally) and market visitors
- Target readiness
- Ahead of Durga Puja
- Previous traffic step
- Road overbridge at Burdwan Road opened on July 27
- Key official
- State tourism minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh
- Fee decision
- To be worked out by SMC, Siliguri Metropolitan Police and local trade bodies
Quotes
Shankar Ghosh
State tourism minister and MLA of Siliguri
“"Thousands of people who visit our market and the adjoining markets every day from across the city, the hills and other areas face inconvenience as they could not find a place to park their vehicles. In fact, some people have even started avoiding these markets because of this problem. The new parking area has come as a major relief for them and will also boost our trade."”
telegraphindia.com
“"Initially, for the next 15 days, people would be allowed to park their cars and two‑wheelers in this new parking area free of cost," he said.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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