Is Gangtok model the way out for car-free city

by Ajay Sura, TNN, Jan 2, 2011, 12.42am IST

CHANDIGARH: Mounting pressure of vehicles on Chandigarh roads can be reduced by adopting the Gangtok model, that has enforced a novel rule to fight traffic congestion through get a garage before wheels concept.

Chandigarh has 7 lakh registered vehicles and around 100 new vehicles are hitting the city roads every day as an increase in purchasing power pushes up demand. The result is huge traffic jams and congestion during rush hours.

As per rules notified in Sikkim in July 2010, it is mandatory for buyers of new vehicle to produce a certificate proving availability of parking space before they can get their vehicles registered.

The in-charge of traffic wing of Gangtok have been mandated to issue the certificates after physical verification of parking space of the buyers of new vehicle. Physical verification of the site is done by motor Vehicle Inspector of the area. The registration certificate is issued only after clearance certificate along with the rough map of the site from the traffic wing that the owner has sufficient place to park the said vehicle in his house.

According to officials of the state transport authority ( STA) in Gangtok, the decision to implement the said was taken following unprecedented surge in new vehicles in the city, causing hour-long traffic congestion on roads and markets.

On being asked about any kind of opposition from the local population against the rule, officials claimed that the right to own vehicles does not mean vehicle owners should be creating problems for the public by parking on side berms or outside the houses.

Minister of forest and tourism in Sikkim, Bhim Dhungyel told TOI that rules were made to encourage people to have parking spaces in their houses and to make vehicular traffic in the mountainous region orderly and quieter.Though initially there was some resentment among the local populace, after realizing the necessity of the concept, nobody has any grouse now. There was no other way to control traffic problems in urban areas of the state, the minister added.

source:Times of India