Parking on Karve Road was suspended since 2018 to aid Metro work. Local traders had approached the traffic police department Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials have demanded resumption of parking facility on the route.
The demand was supported by political parties and the Trade Association of Pune (FTAP), an apex body of traders, which claimed that local businesses had suffered due to a drop in revenue during the Metro work.
Pune Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil A meeting was held on Monday to discuss the issue, after which it was decided to allow parking on both sides of Karve Road.
The traffic police recently conducted a survey of the road, and as per the survey, parking has been allowed on those stretches from where vehicular movement will not be obstructed.
Ajit SangleThe Vice President of Karve Road Traders Association welcomed the decision but said that the traffic police should change the plan.
Sangle said, ‘Traffic police has allowed car parking on the road from Garware College to Swatantra Chowk, However, they have not allowed parking on the other side of the same stretch.”
“They have allowed parking only for two-wheelers. We want the traffic police department to start car parking on the other side of the road as well,” he said.
“The demand to allow parking of cars and two-wheelers on both sides of the road was discussed during the meeting with the guardian minister. We expect a positive response from the authorities,” he added.
Regular commuters on Karve Road said the parking ban has caused inconvenience as there are many small and big businesses on the road.
The visitors also said that the civil administration and traffic police should mark the parking lots properly to avoid haphazard parking of vehicles.
Ashish JoshiA regular visitor, said the civic body should fix signboards to guide road users about parking spots for cars and bikes.
Joshi said, “Karve Road is one of the busiest roads in the city. Allowing vehicles to park on the road should not lead to chaos or traffic jams.”