Traders to approach DM & Doon’s new mayor for resolving parking woes in Paltan Bazaar
Sunday, 19 January 2025 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Doon Valley Mahanagar Udyog Vyapar Mandal (DVMUVM) intends to approach the candidate elected as the mayor of Dehradun and the district magistrate following the urban body election to address the parking challenges encountered by both shopkeepers and customers in Paltan Bazaar. Many shopkeepers have expressed concerns regarding the limited parking availability in the market, particularly in light of the approaching wedding season and the conclusion of Kharmas.
They have stated that customers often park in front of their shops while shopping, which not only obstructs other shoppers but also impedes the services they can provide. In response to these issues, the DVMUVM chief Pankaj Masson said that they plan to approach the DM after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) concludes to advocate for the establishment of a permanent parking solution in Paltan Bazaar.
Shopkeeper Girish Chaddha who runs a footwear store in Paltan Bazaar said that the parking issue has become a major concern in this area. Given that Paltan Bazaar is the central market of the city, it attracts a significant number of visitors daily. With the onset of the wedding season following the conclusion of Kharmas, the influx of customers has increased, further complicating parking for shoppers. Many customers park their vehicles in front of shops, which disrupts business operations. In light of this situation, it is imperative for the relevant authorities to address this matter promptly, he said.
Another shopkeeper Himanshu Verma voiced similar concerns. He said that customers often park in front of their shops while shopping in the market, leaving their vehicles there for extended periods. This situation obstructs business, making it difficult for other customers to enter the shops and leading to a decline in foot traffic. The limited availability of parking spaces has become a significant challenge for shopkeepers. Verma emphasised the need for authorities to address the parking issue promptly. Many others have also shared similar concerns regarding the longstanding parking difficulties in the market.
Regarding this, Masson expressed concern over the longstanding issue of parking space in the market that has persisted for quite some time. He said that numerous letters have been sent to both the DM and the chief minister in an effort to resolve the parking difficulties at Paltan Bazaar. Although they have received assurances that the matter will be addressed, no tangible progress has been observed to date. Recently, the DM inquired about the availability of parking space at the market. In response, Mason’s team provided information about potential space and recommended the construction of multi-level parking. However, due to the MCC in place for the ULB elections, no actions have been initiated regarding the parking development at the market. Consequently, they have decided to approach the DM and the newly elected mayor following the elections to expedite the resolution of the parking concerns at Paltan Bazaar, he said.
