The new parking policy was approved by the standing committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation with minor changes. Before Approving the new parking policy, the committee dumped the objections raised by two institutions. For further course of action, the policy has been to the municipal commissioner. The standing committee dumped the clause which mentioned that the buyer has to submit the parking space proof before buying the vehicle.
Earlier, AMC going against the state government norms had drafted the new parking policy in English, because of which most of the 64 lakh Amdavadis were deprived of proper information. This resulted in only two institutions raising objections to the new parking policy.
To deal with parking issues, AMC had come up with a new parking policy in 2021. On April 24, 2021, AMC had published a draft of the parking policy in newspapers in accordance with Municipal Corporation Act 1949, section 460 that welcomed objections, if any, from the citizens of Ahmedabad. AMC simultaneously issued a notification.
Only two institutions had raised objections regarding the new parking policy draft, which was published by AMC in the newspapers. On Thursday the standing committee of the AMC scrapped clause number 5.6.10 which mentioned that the buyer will have to submit parking proof before purchase of a vehicle.
It is worth mentioning that AMC has mentioned in the new parking policy that though purchasing a vehicle and parking are the rights of citizens, they cannot occupy public space for the same. AMC has also mentioned in the policy that it is a myth that increasing parking space and setting up multi-level parking facilities would resolve the problem, instead proper management of road parking would prove beneficial.
The new draft also mentions that it is also a myth that business would be adversely affected if parking facilities are removed from the commercial areas, instead the business would be benefited if the vehicles parked on road are removed from such areas. They have mentioned in the new draft that to remove these myths, the new parking policy has been created.
Pay and park would be costly in day and cheaper at night
There could be a hike in rent at pay-and-park facilities. As new AMC and Traffic Department cells would be set up to resolve street parking issues in the city once the new parking policy will come into effect, there could be a fee hike in pay-and-park facilities in the city. During the day, especially during peak hours, the rent could be higher than at night. The parking fees could see a rise during weekends in several areas of the city.