Editorial
Parking issue deserves wider attention
Only a partial drive gets underway
Although belated and raising a question or two about the deviation from approved design so far overlooked, Rajuk's demolition on Monday of a number of shops in six buildings for commercially using their designated parking spaces is a step in the right direction.
The blame for flouting rules basically goes to building owners. However, a good part of the blame is Rajuk's as it turned a blind eye to the aberration up until, so it seems, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police identified 198 buildings in the city making commercial use of designated car parking spaces.
At least here is one instance of coordination between the police authorities and Rajuk which is a good sign. Broadly, we read a positive signal from the fact that a new sense of urgency to grapple with some structural parking constraints is on play. We have to build up on it and expand parking spaces in all possible ways. Along with getting the owners of shopping complexes, commercial houses and all kinds of high-rise buildings to have built-in parking lots, there is a potential for creating new parking spaces in the private sector, if necessary through banking support, which may then be rented out on a daily or periodic basis. Dhaka City Corporation can play a catalytic role here.
All sorts of encroachment on the pavements have pushed the pedestrians on to the roads. This adding to overall traffic congestion calls for clearing of the pavements. This is a bigger issue than is readily perceived because it is linked to livelihood of many who buy spaces from petty vested quarters. They will have to be relocated in designated zones.
Better traffic management can help address the problem of parking constraints. Buses and coaches make stopovers at will, overlooking indicated stoppages which not only creates hazards to life but also adds to the traffic mess. They must refrain from pulling up near traffic intersections or just about anywhere to pick up passengers and should use designated parking spaces as a rule.
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