Bhubaneswar, Odisha : The Odisha Urban Academy, under the aegis of the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, organised a Consultative Workshop on the Draft Parking Policy for Urban Odisha. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the state to deliberate on sustainable and practical solutions to the growing challenge of urban parking.
Held on Thursday, the workshop saw participation from senior H&UD officials, Municipal Commissioners, traffic and transport experts, town planners, architects, civil society representatives, and academicians. Discussions focused on developing a comprehensive policy framework to regulate parking, reduce congestion, and create safe, liveable cities.
The draft policy has been designed to:
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Regulate on-street and off-street parking through structured systems.
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Introduce demand-based parking charges to discourage indiscriminate use.
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Promote walking, cycling, and integration with public transport.
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Ensure optimum utilisation of urban land and infrastructure.
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Leverage smart technologies for efficient parking management.
Special Secretary, H&UD Department, Shri Rajesh Pravaakar Patil delivered the keynote address, highlighting the draft policy’s potential to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and build citizen-friendly urban spaces.
A panel discussion moderated by Ashtha Malhotra featured experts Mriganka Saxena, Zohra Mutabanna, Bankim Kalra, Aswathy Dilip, and Prof. Shalini Sinha, who shared perspectives on Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and enforcement strategies.
Participants emphasised the need to integrate modern mobility trends, encourage private sector involvement, and align the framework with environmental sustainability goals.
Once finalised, the Draft Parking Policy will serve as a guiding document for all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha, helping them implement efficient, transparent, and sustainable parking systems.
This initiative is aligned with the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi to create inclusive, people-friendly, and sustainable cities across Odisha.
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