Parking woes get temporary solution

KEA turns 5 acres as parking lot; 500 vehicles can be accommodated

The facility was launched on Sunday, with the tourists coming to nearby Palace and Zoo, availing the benefit. Of the total 80 acres of land secured on lease by KEA, five acres was earlier occupied by weeds and shrubs.

When the parking at Football Grounds opposite Dasara Exhibition grounds was turning out to be a messy affair every year, the expo authorities had been thinking of utilising the vacant land available within to sort out the problem at the earliest.

At the  same time, the district administration followed by police and civic body came out with a similar demand. All these facilitated the plan in shaping up soon and thus it was opened for service.

Timings

KEA Chief Executive Officer M V Hemanth Kumar told Deccan Herald that the lot will remain open only between 8.30 am and 6 pm.

Barring two-wheelers, other types of vehicles- car, tempo and bus are allowed to park here.  The fee is fixed at ` 10 for car, ` 30 for tempo and `  50 for bus. As it’s a temporary facility, the KEA will manage the lot on its own, without entrusting the job to outside party.

Besides, it will be a surplus revenue to the authority, the CEO said.

Boon

Most importantly, it would come as a boon, as the authority is planning for permanent exhibition throughout the year, besides the regular ‘Summer Expo and ‘Dasara Expo’.

However, once the proposed multi-level parking lot opposite Zoo and Town Hall becomes a reality, the lot here will be closed.

Huge rush

The city of palaces is attracting hordes of tourists, especially during weekends and vacations.  Owing to the huge rush, the parking lot between Varaha Gate and Kote Maramma Temple on Palace premises becomes full to its capacity.

Hence, the footpath surrounding Palace and also Sahukar Channaiah Wrestling Stadium, and Football Grounds were the only place left for parking. This had led to taffic jam, with pedestrians hitting streets.

Increasing vehicles

At times, a stretch of road in front of CADA office was also occupied by vehicles, and the numbers were increasing with vehicles lined up to Gun House Circle. The traffic police had no option left than allowing the tourists to park their vehicles.

At this crucial juncture, the temporary parking lot that has a capacity to accommodate 500 vehicles has brought relief to an extent.