Pokhara Metropolitan Reinstates Roadside Parking Contract After Alternative Attempts Fail
May 3, Pokhara – After the failure to vacate underground parking areas and operate them on a paid basis, the Pokhara Metropolitan City has decided to reintroduce the contract system for roadside parking. Since Magh 2079 (January/February 2023), the city had engaged private companies under contracts to manage road parking. However, this arrangement was abandoned in an attempt to find alternatives, which ultimately proved unsuccessful, prompting the municipality to revert to the previous system.
Prior to Mayor Dhanraj Acharya’s tenure, roadside parking contracts were the norm. But this system was discontinued due to opposition from citizens and business owners, who viewed charging fees for parking on the roads as improper.
The metropolitan had previously halted issuing parking permits for roads and collecting fees after widespread criticism that such practice ignored the responsibility of establishing and managing proper parking lots throughout the city. Nevertheless, Mayor Acharya has now decided to renew the roadside parking contract system. He commented, “Pokhara’s roads are highly disorganized. Management is possible only by compelling people to pay fees, but this has caused problems for many and has further disorganized the city.”
On Mangsir 14, 2077 (December 30, 2020), the metropolitan had issued the parking contract for two years, valued at NPR 31,670,000. The Auditor General’s report has raised questions regarding the annual parking fees and management. Business operators have been pressing authorities by putting up black banners, demanding improved parking management. Entrepreneurs in the New Road area have requested the organization of parking on both sides of streets and protection of their investment.
With the municipality removing parking without providing alternative provisions, business owners have grown angry. Mayor Acharya stated, “The process of charging for parking and vacating the underground facilities failed due to lack of cooperation from all stakeholders and the unwillingness of many to park their vehicles in paid parking areas.”
