By Avant Shrestha
Parking problem is not new in a clustered metropolis, but was a slight inconvenience in the past has turned into a full-blown crisis. A major problem for commuters in the city today is to find parking space. Multiple reports in the news and the accounts of commuters attest that parking has become an onerous task.
Parking spaces are limited and when available often expensive. Moreover in the increasing congestion, you risk your vehicle getting scratched and in some cases being towed away due to frequent changing traffic rules.
So the question that comes to mind is what is being done about it by concerned authorities?
Matam Shrestha, a parking proprietor in Thamel, stresses that the combination of rapid population growth, haphazard urbanisation, poor urban planning and increased construction of unplanned houses has created this problem. Furthermore, most commuters are aware of the chaotic nature of overcrowded parking areas and the arbitrary parking fee demanded by the tenant; so they would rather park wherever they see fit. This creates more traffic congestion on the roads as well. “People often opt to park their vehicle anywhere they please, usually any open space available regardless of the correctness of it”, says Shrestha. “Additionally, the growing number of vehicles especially motorcycles have contributed to road and parking congestion,” says Shrestha.
According to data provided by the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), in 2017 vehicle registration had exceeded well over 2.5 million units, which is a massive surge of vehicles in the city compared to only 626,147 vehicles registered 10 years ago in 2007. This substantial influx of vehicles in the city compared to limited roads as well as parking spaces has caused huge problems in the city.
Little is being done to manage the predicament. Aditionally, parking in different sites of Kathmandu is controlled by various groups of private operators and local factions that are money centric with little consideration to it being a paid service feature. In 2011, reports claim that only 30 parking areas were registered with Kathmandu Metropolitan City office when in actuality there were more than 100 spaces which are being operated illicitly within the city.
In 2013, KMC decided to cancel the parking fee system being run by private vendors; however, the arbitrary charging of parking fee in various locations within city continued. The initial decisions taken by the governing body seemed positive but due to the lack of proper management and monitoring, in 2017, KMC again decided to scrap its earlier decision of free parking across the metropolis.
The remedy for congested parking lots or lack thereof is more complex than most would assume. There needs to be proper planning and management. Proper utilisation of open spaces is the key here. Reports about the construction of multistoried parking lots in New Road and Teku, two of Kathmandu’s major business hubs are indicative of a move in the right direction. “The government should be the ones to take the major initiative,” says Shrestha.
Various malls, business and commercial complexes offer some relief. Lizaw Tandukar is a contract holder with the Civil Mall for the operation of its parking. He states, “One of the main problems, I think, is proper implementation of rules while parking your vehicles. It is more systematic at malls as staff are assigned to oversee the parking process. I think assigning right people in those areas can reduce the wrong parking of vehicles significantly and can help reduce the chaotic parking we see on the roads”, he says.
In 2018, KMC in collaboration with Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) set up 143 temporary parking lots in various locations across Kathmandu and Lalitpur to effectively manage the traffic and parking conundrum within the city. KMC and MTPD have designated 83 parking spaces of private four and two wheel vehicles whereas 60 parking spaces have been designated for public transport.
A proper management strategy is long overdue in the city. An appropriate on and off street management implemented by a suitable parking mechanism is a must. The option of vertical parking space in the city’s busiest location would be a viable option. It is reported that KMC is planning to construct a multistoried car parking facility that would accommodate more than 400 vehicles in New Road. Gyanendra Karki, spokesperson at KMC, is quoted in a national newspaper claiming that three multi-storied parking building proposals have been sent to the ministry.
“The lack of parking aggravates vehicle owners but it is not anyone’s right to park on an already congested road”, he has said. Similarly, there are talks about similar projects being undertaken near Teku and Thamel but once again the construction and actual implementation are yet to be seen.
With the possibility of vertical parking space within the busiest hubs, the possibility of a parking app would work as well. “Parking apps that would cater to the public would be very welcoming but as of now, I believe that actual implementation and people using it is next to impossible,” says Shrestha.
Chinatown Mall has a computerised card payment system. Similarly, selective malls around the city such as Labim Mall and Rising Mall uses parking-slip machines that needs to be manned in order to be operational. Adding to the idea, Manish Shrestha Co-founder of Kazi Studios believes the solution is very difficult as looking for a parking space is a spontaneous activity so an app for finding parking space in Nepal would be inoperative in the current scenario.
Reportedly KMC is in plans to construct a smart parking lot in New Road which will aid regularizing the parking problems. KMC Public Private Partnership Chief Mahesh Kafle was quoted in a daily saying, “The smart parking would be state of the art and vehicle owners can ensure their parking space prior to reaching their parking location. However, KMC will only provide this facility to registered vehicles. This solution will not be easy but it will be a start.
