Booming economy has given rise to a robust automobile sector, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, annual vehicle sales are projected to increase to 5 million by 2015 and more than 9 million by 2020. By 2050, the country is expected to top the world in car volumes with approximately 611 million vehicles on the nation’s roads.
T. Thiruganasambandham with Erwan from Parkeon
Has anybody even imagined what will happen, if we don’t streamline parking problems in the metro cities? To get the answer, Vimana Varta spoke to Chennai based parking solutions provider, Smart Parking India Pvt Ltd’s Business Development Head, T. Thiruganasambandham to get the inside of parking solutions in the country.
Here are the excerpts of the interview…
What is the current status of parking in the metro cities in India, Can you elaborate?
The current status of the parking in metro cities in India is a big mess, they don’t have enough parking spaces, the numbers of vehicles are high, but the parking space is very low. State Governments in metro cities should have taken steps to solve the issue by building multilevel car parking and mechanical car parking but still enough solution have not been found, we have are also supporting them with the new technology of automated parking system to create organised parking, parking fees is very low in all metro cities.
Are our roads as per international standards?
Not all the roads, but some of our highways are of international standard.
What should the state governments need to do now?
The govt has to show more interest towards these kind of technology, the officials who handle the dept for the growth of the country, don’t have any idea about the system, and they are not worried about the same, even if we explain with presentation, they are not keen to take the decision, the officials has to take steps to bring in new systems and they should educate the political class on the same and they should insist to bring these kind of system to our country which will help us to live peacefully and improve our level of living.
State governments also need to increase parking fees to avoid the unnecessary parking, this will help them to have more space to park the vehicles and help to get good revenue from the parking, which can be used to increase the infrastructure of the city.
What are the steps important to ease parking during peak hours?
By Increasing the parking fee, with good system and enforcement will help to have more organised parking. Identifying the wide roads for more parking spaces and by creating one way traffic based on the survey.
What are your future plans?
To provide safe and comfortable parking solutions in metro cities.
How does Smart Parking making parking better in Chennai, Bangalore?
We have introduced automated parking meters in Chennai and Bangalore for the street parking which provides the additional revenue to the government and user friendly service to the common public and more parking spaces has been created for organized parking.
Are you planning to enter Mumbai?
We have already approached the govt officials of Mumbai, but there was no much response for the people. However, Pune officials have shown interest and we are waiting for the tender to be called in this regard.
Do you have any technological collaboration with foreign firms?
Yes, we have tied up with Parkeon, France based parking solutions provider for the machine supply and technology support for the effective collection and proper reports.
How do you see the current traffic situations in the Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and whole India?
Current situation in India for parking is a big mess, vehicle numbers are high but parking space is very less, no wide roads, no enforcement, no system, and govt is not showing war foot action to solve the parking problems.
Why parking solutions necessary for easy movement of traffic?
It will help the govt to provide a more organized parking system and for public, it will increase the comfort in parking.
What is major reason for introducing new technologies?
To create parking space, more revenue through parking and to cut down unnecessary parking in the country.
Are you RFID technology for parking facilities?
NO, we work with GPRS technology, but it can be coped with RFID technology.
Are the technologies very expensive for the country like India to spend on?
Yes, when we need to find a solution for the parking problems obviously we need spend money on the same, the investment can be recovered through the parking fees, but country like India can surely afford the money for creating new parking system for peaceful parking.
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