Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to take action against hospitals, commercial establishments, and offices operating without proper parking facilities. The civic body will soon begin issuing notices to such units, instructing them to create adequate parking spaces within their premises.

BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, in a statement following a meeting on Wednesday, said the decision is part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion across the city. She mentioned that the BMC would collaborate with the Commissionerate Police to identify available public spaces near areas designated as no-parking zones.

While the decision to mark major stretches as no-parking zones aims to alleviate traffic snarls, Mayor Das emphasized that this change would only be enforced once alternative parking spaces are clearly identified. She noted that many hospitals, restaurants, and commercial complexes have been operating without sufficient parking, forcing visitors to park their vehicles on roadsides, contributing to congestion.

In addition to cracking down on non-compliant establishments, the BMC has pledged to fast-track the completion of the long-delayed multi-level parking facility at Unit-VI, which has been under construction for several years. The corporation believes that completing this project and ensuring that private establishments adhere to parking regulations will be crucial steps toward reducing roadside congestion in the city.