PATNA: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to convert the city’s first semi-automatic multi-level car parking, behind Buddha Smriti Park near Patna Junction, into a vending zone for the footpath vendors. The decision has been taken after the parking lot remained underutilization by vehicle owners for long time due to the congested approach and exit road.The G+3 parking lot, built at a cost of Rs 13.5 crore, was inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar in February, 2016.
“The decision to convert the place was taken in a PMC’s meeting held in February this year for its proper utilisation. Currently, the initiative is in its planning stage as we have to pass a budget for some changes in the parking lot. The corporation is planning to build a structure of around 6/8 feet with a platform of about two-three feet in height from the ground level at the open parking space. The street vendors will be able to sit on the platform and sell their products, while they could use the space beneath the platform as storage for their belongings,” said Indradeep Chandravanshi, member of the empowered standing committee of PMC and councillor of ward-48.
He further said that the street vendors selling their products near the Patna Junction would be shifted to the multi-level parking after its conversion. According to the PMC official, the parking lot was built by Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), but people still avoid the facility due to encroachments created by autorickshaws and vendors from Ashok Cinema.
“The decision to convert the place was taken in a PMC’s meeting held in February this year for its proper utilisation. Currently, the initiative is in its planning stage as we have to pass a budget for some changes in the parking lot. The corporation is planning to build a structure of around 6/8 feet with a platform of about two-three feet in height from the ground level at the open parking space. The street vendors will be able to sit on the platform and sell their products, while they could use the space beneath the platform as storage for their belongings,” said Indradeep Chandravanshi, member of the empowered standing committee of PMC and councillor of ward-48.
He further said that the street vendors selling their products near the Patna Junction would be shifted to the multi-level parking after its conversion. According to the PMC official, the parking lot was built by Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), but people still avoid the facility due to encroachments created by autorickshaws and vendors from Ashok Cinema.