The KMC also has plans to renovate and expand some existing parking lots to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles. [break]
"We are in the final stage of hiring a consultant to build the parking lots at Ratna Park and Lainchour," Executive Director of KMC, Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, said.
The largest underground parking will span from Mahankal Mandir to Sahid Gate, covering an area of 10,500 sq meters. Similarly, another underground parking will be built in the premises of Social Welfare council.
According to Adhikari, the parking spaces will be constructed under the technical assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ADB had recommended to KMC to develop new parking lots in the city for easing traffic congestion. The parking lots would be built as part of ´Kathmandu Sustainable Urban Transport Project´, said Adhikari.
The messy parking in city centers has been a major challenge for traffic management. Increasingly, two wheelers and cars are being parked by their owners along the roads and pavements in main city areas. “Even pedestrians are having troubles walking freely due to messy parking."
Chief of Department of Urban Development of KMC, Devendra Dangol said that the parking spaces will be constructed under Public Private Partnership model. "The private sectors will be allowed to operate the parking lots for certain period in view of their contribution in the construction," Dongol said.
He said that the Ministry for Physical Planning and Works has already approved the proposal for the construction of underground parking. After the construction of underground parking, the KMC will not allow to park vehicles in major business hubs like Sundhara, New Road and Bhotahiti.
Likewise, the metropolis has also planned to renovate existing parking lots around core city aread. The KMC plans to renovate parking lot in front of Employees´ Provident Fund. Similarly, the office also said that parking lots around Bir hospital, Tebahal, Khichapokhari, Sundhara and Jyatha would also be renovated.
Meanwhile, the ADB has also provided financial assistance to KMC for building pavements in core city areas. "ADB is also supporting us to build sidewalks and put railings along the main roads," said Dongol.
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