Festive Season / Bhubaneswar: BMC Plans 35 New Parking Locations Ahead of Durga Puja

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: In a bid to ease traffic congestion and streamline vehicle management during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to finalise around 35 new parking locations across the city, officials said on Thursday.

The civic body has already initiated the tendering process and aims to complete it within the next week, the officials added.

Parking push

According to BMC officials, the identified locations have been selected after assessing their suitability for parking without disrupting normal traffic movement. The sites are also expected to help the civic body generate revenue while providing organised parking facilities for visitors.

The move comes as Bhubaneswar prepares for a surge in footfall during Durga Puja, when thousands of devotees and visitors throng major puja mandaps across the city, often leading to traffic bottlenecks and parking challenges.

Smart parking plan

Alongside the new parking spaces, BMC is planning to launch a pilot smart parking project at four to five locations in the city. The initiative is expected to introduce technology-driven parking management solutions and improve convenience for motorists.

Officials said the smart parking pilot is also likely to be finalised before the festive season begins.

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Traffic management focus

To help residents and visitors navigate the city during the celebrations, BMC will disseminate information on designated parking areas through social media platforms. The awareness campaign is aimed at encouraging people to park vehicles at identified locations and walk to nearby puja pandals.

With preparations gathering pace ahead of Durga Puja, BMC is prioritising organised parking infrastructure as a key component of its overall traffic management strategy.