Search for a parking space is the not the only hardship motorists of Ranchi are driving with in Ranchi! Even if a space is available, areas with a fixed charge, and an authorised vendors are still far from reality.
Though Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has fixed a uniform price to be charged all across the city parking vendors are found charging more than this. Moreover they even find difficulty in suitable space for park the vehicles, especially on weekends. Vehicles can be seen parked on both sides of roads, leading to huge traffic congestions. At places such as Rock Garden and Tagore Hill the parking vendor, not a qualified contractor given the responsibility after following a fair
bidding process, charges seven rupees for two wheelers while Rs 15 to 20 for four wheelers. It is when the RMC has fixed charge for two wheelers are Rs 5 while for four wheelers it is Rs 10.
Ramesh Kumar who came along with his family at Rock Garden said, “On every weekend I plan an outing for my family here, but parking is always an issue. Earlier they used to charge Rs 5 for two wheelers and Rs 10 for four wheelers. But from last few months they kept changing their rates. Moreover, no rate chart for packing is displayed outside the entrance as a result of which we are bound to pay the price demanded by them.”
While park authorities are not ready to accept that the price they are charging is unjustified. As they have not signed any agreement with the RMC relating parking price to be charged as per fixed by the RMC.
Manager of Rock Garden Ramadhar Singh said, “We are not charging from the visitors more prices, to manage the flood of vehicles at a limited place is a big challenge, moreover in this inflation era where price of everything is roaring on such a note the charged price from the visitors are not a hefty hike.”
When asked about the price fixed by the RMC which need to be followed all across the state no satisfactory reply was given by him. He kept chanting his own tone.
On the other hand the officials of RMC were found clueless about the matter.
Deputy CEO of RMC, Shailendra lal said, “The price fixed by the RMC for on parking is mandatory to be followed out all across the capitol. I am not aware about this issue, in coming days a strict action will be taken on such authorities if found guilty.
Ramehs is also worried about non availability of proper parking space. He added, “There is no proper parking space here as a result of
which sometimes I had to park my car on road. There is need to check it”
RMC Dy CEO lal admitted the problem. “I accept that there is a problem of space crisis for parking zones and we don’t have any solution for this till date. Discussion on this is going on and we are hopeful that soon will come up with any solution for this.”
RMC Public Relation Officer Naresh Sinha brushed the issue aside terming it not so important for the municipal body. “As RMC has so many other jobs to hands it is not possible for us to keep an eye on every matter. If any complain will come to us then RMC will look into the matter.”