In a bid to tackle the escalating issue of unregulated parking in Odisha’s rapidly expanding cities, the Odisha Urban Academy, under the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, hosted a consultative workshop on the Draft Parking Policy for Urban Odisha.
The event, held last Thursday, drew a diverse group of experts and officials to forge a path towards more efficient, sustainable urban mobility.
The workshop served as a platform for collaborative dialogue, featuring senior H&UD officials, Municipal Commissioners, traffic experts, town planners, architects, civil society members, and academicians. Discussions centred on crafting a robust policy to manage parking challenges, alleviate traffic congestion, and foster safer, more livable urban environments.
Unregulated parking has become a critical hurdle in Odisha’s urban landscape, contributing to chaos on streets and inefficient land use. The draft policy aims to address this through several key measures: establishing structured regulations for on-street and off-street parking, implementing demand-based charges to curb haphazard parking, promoting eco-friendly alternatives like walking, cycling, and seamless integration with public transport, optimising urban infrastructure, and harnessing smart technologies for better management.
Attendees offered insightful recommendations, emphasising the incorporation of contemporary mobility trends, encouraging private sector involvement, and ensuring alignment with environmental sustainability objectives. These inputs are expected to refine the policy into a more inclusive framework.
In his keynote address, Special Secretary of the H&UD Department, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, outlined the draft’s core elements and its potential to enhance traffic efficiency, boost safety, and create user-friendly city spaces. A highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Ashtha Malhotra, where experts, including Mriganka Saxena, Zohra Mutabanna, Bankim Kalra, Aswathy Dilip, and Prof. Shalini Sinha, shared perspectives on Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and effective enforcement strategies.
Upon finalization, the policy will act as a blueprint for all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha, enabling the rollout of transparent and sustainable parking systems statewide. This effort aligns with the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi for building inclusive, citizen-centric, and green cities.
The workshop underscores Odisha’s commitment to proactive urban planning, setting the stage for improved quality of life in its burgeoning metropolises.
