Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the district administration and the traffic authority of the Itanagar Capital Region towards the persistent issue of traffic congestion and inadequate parking facilities in the city.
In a commendable initiative to improve urban mobility and address the growing parking challenges, Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated three multi-storied car parking facilities on 19 February, 2025. These facilities were constructed by the urban development & housing department at the Arunachal Pradesh civil secretariat, ESS Sector, and at the APST bus station.
The parking lot at the civil secretariat has a capacity to accommodate 108 cars in eight towers, primarily meant for safer parking of vehicles belonging to the secretariat staff.
The six-storied parking building in ESS Sector has a total capacity of 143 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and is equipped with three automated mechanical car lifts and a passenger lift. Additionally, the lower three floors have ramp access, allowing vehicles to park without using the automated lift system. This facility was intended to serve employees and visitors of nearby offices such as the directorate of higher education, directorate of elementary education, Mallo Tarin Higher Secondary School, and the residents of ESS Sector, besides providing parking support to the state Assembly and civil secretariat.
Similarly, the six-storied parking facility at the APST bus station near Ganga Market has a capacity of 100 LMVs, supported by three automated mechanical car lifts and a passenger lift. This parking facility was envisioned to cater to market visitors, nearby hotels, members of the Arunachal Press Club, patients and visitors of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, as well as office-goers from the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services.
However, despite these well-planned infrastructures, the public has not been able to derive full benefit due to limited awareness and restricted accessibility. At present, the parking facilities in ESS Sector and the APST bus station have reportedly been reserved by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police for more than two months. Particularly, the parking lot at the APST bus station is located at a prime commercial hub and, if made available to the public on a 24/7 basis, could significantly reduce parking congestion – potentially easing nearly 60% of the parking problems in the Ganga Market area.
Therefore, I humbly request the authorities concerned to review the current arrangement and ensure that these public infrastructures are made accessible for their intended purpose, so that citizens can fully benefit from them.
I hope the authorities concerned will take necessary steps to address this issue in the interest of the public.
Shashi Ranjan Kumar,
Steno-II, APEDA,
Itanagar