Tackle Parking Problem

With a continuous rise in the number of private and public vehicles in the Kathmandu Valley, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the capital valley, a densely populated and unsystematically developed city, to manage road traffic and other issues efficiently. As the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) does not have adequate parking spaces, many vehicles are found being parked even on congested roads and alleys, causing a lot of inconveniences to passers-by. This kind of situation often leads to perennial traffic jams in the core city areas. There are always chances for people to get stuck in terrible traffic jams for hours. Some efforts had been made several years back to widen numerous roads and streets of the capital metropolis. Despite that initiative, those roads are now seemingly unable to cope with the existing flow of vehicles. Traffic police personnel often find it tricky to regulate vehicles. The situation gets worse daily, especially in peak hours. The tendency of violating traffic rules has been another serious problem, which also obstructs vehicular movement and causes road accidents.   

As part of its attempt to manage parking spaces in the city, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched a campaign against illegal structures built by various individuals and business organisations. The metropolis has started taking a tough but necessary move since Monday. It aims to look for parking spaces and discourage businesses and other entities to encroach upon public lands. On July 21, the KMC had published a 35-day notice, calling for businessmen and building owners to remove their shops and other services being run in the basement, semi-basement and ground floors of commercial buildings. Those floors were designated for parking purpose in the blue print approved by the KMC.  But in gross violation of the building code and metropolis office permit, many business people as well as building owners have been found using those spaces commercially.

Even amidst protests by the owners of the buildings and shops, the KMC has gone into action after they refused to relocate their shops and stalls. The KMC has started demolishing the unauthorised structures constructed on the premises of the Kathmandu Mall, London Club, RB Complex and several other companies as they kept on operating even after a 35-day deadline given by the KMC notice. The metropolis has mentioned that it would not be responsible for the damage or loss caused by its action. It has also clarified that all the illegal structures would be demolished in all of its 32 wards. KMC Mayor Balendra Shah has continued scrutinising the demolition of shops and vendors operating underground in commercial buildings meant for parking space. 

The KMC seems to be committed to making all the commercial buildings comply with rules mandatorily. The buildings with the parking spaces in the blue print are required to utilise such spaces for the purpose of parking alone.  But it is surprising that most of the buildings are seen encroaching on their front and side spaces and running businesses there. A lot of vehicles that were supposed to be parked on those building basements or other parking areas were found being parked randomly. If all the commercial complexes operate their parking spaces properly, they are sure to help contribute to reducing the parking problem facing the key shopping areas. Though the KMC’s initiative may cause losses to the concerned shopkeepers and vendors at a time of business slump, it could help tackle the issue of encroachment and illegal activities and the burgeoning parking problem.