The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a significant revision to its plan for paid parking in Salt Lake, finalising a total of 18 fee car parking zones across the township. The new list incorporates eight freshly identified stretches while removing four that were previously earmarked, following consultations with the Bidhannagar traffic police.
New Additions and Omissions in Parking Zones
Originally, the civic body had identified 14 stretches for paid parking. The revised plan now includes several new areas based on daytime parking trends. The authorities are currently in the process of engaging agencies to allot these zones on a licence basis.
The eight new stretches added as fee parking zones are:
- The side road between Sech Bhavan and Indira Bhavan, covering Nagarayan, Telephone Bhavan, and the CGO Complex.
- Both sides of the road from GD Island to Labony Island, excluding a 25-metre section in front of "Banchharam".
- The stretch from near Mother International School's gate to CL-34, excluding CK Market.
- Areas adjoining Salt Lake Point School surrounding CD Park.
- Stretches surrounding Aurobindo Institute in BL Block, including the road from the school gate to BL Park.
- Areas around Hariyana Vidya Mandir and CA School.
- The stretch from Baisakhi Island to Tank No. 8.
- The both-side stretch from St John School to Susrut Eye Hospital to Box Bridge via Calcutta Heart Clinic, including the Homoeopathy Hospital but excluding GD Market.
Conversely, four stretches have been omitted from the original plan:
- The both-flanks stretch from Bidyadhari School to Vidyasagar Island under the metro alignment.
- The stretch from Yellow Straw Shop to Shiva Temple at DB Block.
- Both flanks on the stretch from Water Tank No 4 to CAP Island.
- The stretch directly in front of Rabindra Okakura Bhavan.
Rules, Technology, and Existing Zones
The BMC has stipulated that no parking will be permitted in front of school gates. A strict 15-minute window will be allowed solely for picking up and dropping off students.
In a move towards modernisation, the BMC will provide a dedicated mobile application. The person controlling each parking zone will be required to download this app to monitor and count vehicles entering and exiting.
Ten of the originally identified stretches will retain their status as fee parking zones. These include locations such as the service road from JC-25 to Aranya Bhaban (except the area in front of AMRI Hospital at KB-24), the surroundings of Lady Queen of the Mission and both sides of HB Park, and the route from Tank No 13 to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan via the middle road of Saurav Abasan and Falguni Abasan.
Flexibility for Public Events
An official stated that the civic authorities retain the right to realign the parking zones in the public interest during large-scale events like pujas or melas. This provision ensures the system can adapt to temporary changes in traffic flow and public congregation.
The finalisation of these 18 zones marks a structured approach by the BMC to manage the growing challenge of on-street parking in the planned township of Salt Lake, balancing civic needs with traffic regulations.
