Sardine-packed roads

It is indeed shocking to find that there is not a single parking facility in and around this important shopping area. Incidentally, most of the shoppers come with the entire families comprising women and children. Considering the sheer number of visitors to Gaushia and Chandni Chowk markets, these are, in a sense, more important than the city's fancy malls. Shoppers here therefore deserve adequate physical facilities including nearby car parks.

We fail to understand as to why vendors have to block the entire passage of the footpaths so that the pedestrians have no other option but to walk on the main street? We strongly believe that given the will and sincerity of purpose the vendors can be moved to more appropriate locations by the Dhaka City Corporation.

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On the other hand, it is not also understandable why vehicle parking cannot be better regulated? Parking of vehicles on both sides of the road should be completely banned, especially in busy areas where the need for multistoried parking lots can hardly be overemphasised.

The administration should encourage private investors to construct extensive parking facilities to run them on commercial basis. Government has plans to build some parking spaces but unless the private sector feels obliged to go for it in a big way the parking problems would not be adequately addressed.

We wish to see some real action on the ground instead of lame excuses aimed at defending inaction.