Metro Move To Convert Parking Space Into Market Draws Ire Of Businessmen | Jaipur News
The market associations of the Walled City have opposed the proposal and said that parking is already a major problem in the old city area and turning the existing space into a marketplace will add to the number of vehicles in the congested locality.
Lack of parking facilities and traffic congestion caused by it has been a long standing issue in the Walled City. In such a situation, if the space earmarked for parking is turned into a marketplace, it will only add to the city’s problems. Additional shops will also increase vehicular load in the old city, which already has small roads. Add to this the natural tendency of citizens to park anywhere, the picture of chaos is complete. Designated parking areas are for parking vehicles and authorities would do well to train citizens to follow the rule instead of turning such spaces into markets.
The traders and locals pointed out that the Jaipur Metro has so far not provided any approach road to the parking space, so claiming that it has been lying unused is incorrect. The markets also raised the issue of why customers would want to go underground to shop when established renowned markets are already there.
TOI tried to contact JMRC officials for a statement but they remained unavailable. Subhash Goyal, president of Jaipur Vyapaar Mahasangh said, “A large amount of space is available with metro administration for underground parking system near Badi Chaupar metro station in eastern lines towards Ramganj.
We have suggested that parking system for four wheelers and two wheelers should be constructed at this place, so that citizens can use this space. At least 200 vehicles including two wheelers and four wheelers can be parked here. But the metro authorities had approached us saying that they want to open shops and showrooms here, which will only add to the traffic problems of the Walled City.”
They Mahasangh has written to the Jaipur metro to build a proper parking and run awareness campaigns so that people start using the parking facility.
“Badi Chaupar is the main business hub of Jaipur Walled City, where the parking facility for vehicles will reduce the load of three four markets including Johri Bazaar.
We hope that in public interest, the metro administration will take an immediate decision for parking arrangements and also building convenience facilities,” states the letter that the traders have written to the chairman and managing director of Jaipur Metro.
Kailash Mittal, general secretary of Johri Bazaar traders’ association said that when most of the brands are already established in the markets of the Walled City, public would not prefer to go underground for their purchases or to food joints.
“Most people especially tourists come to the Walled City to eat from a few particular shops, shop from established names, or they have their preferred shops. In such a situation, no one would want to go to the shops which are underground at a metro station for purchases. And where will be authorities give space for parking the vehicles of the shopkeepers who set up shops at the metro station?” said Mittal.
