Despite opposition, 15 roads likely to get pay-n-park facility

After Pune Municipal Corporation's standing committee on Tuesday pushed the ball into the general body's court, in a November 19 meeting theu00a0
latter will take a final decision on whether or not to reintroduce pay-and-park scheme on 15 city roads.

Representation pic

The ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seems keen on the idea, though Shiv Sena and MNS have strongly opposed the move. Congress, which was previously on the other side, is now seemingly supporting NCP.

Standing committee chairperson Vishal Tambe on Tuesday made clear that the group had discussed the proposal and unanimously decided that the GB would take a final call on it in the presence of leaders from all parties.

Resisting the idea, Shiv Sena leader Ashok Harnaval said, "Sena will strongly oppose pay-and-park in the upcoming GB meeting. Ruling parties have decided to impose taxes on literally everything.

In 2005, when pay ‘n' park was launched for the first time, many malpractices were recorded against the contractors. If the scheme is revived, those same episodes would be repeated."

While explaining Congress's stance, PMC opposition leader Arvind Shinde, "Since the beginning Congress has been opposing pay-and-park for two-wheelers. The proposal in this regard was first discussed in the meeting of leaders from all parties, which witnessed passionate arguments from our side.

In 2005 too, when the scheme was first introduced, after observing some ill practices in it, I, as standing committee chairperson, had opposed it."

However, he did mention that ultimately the matter will be resolved in the GB through actual voting, and only at that point it would become clear where the loyalties of various parties lie.

Facts of the matter
According to the new proposal for pay ‘n' park, two-wheelers would have to pay Rs 3 for the first hour and Rs 5 for every subsequent hour. Four-wheelers would be charged Rs 10 for the first hour. If the GB approves the decision, it would be implemented on Laxmi Road, Bajirao Road, Tilak Road, Shivaji Road, Shastri Road, Karve Road, Jangli Maharaj Road, Fergusson Road, Modern College Road, Nehru Road, Baner Road, Paud Road, Ganeshkhind Road, Ambedkar Road, and Colonel Tarapur Road. u00a0