Port Blair, Jan 07: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has taken up the matter of insufficient parking facilities at GB Pant Hospital, the sole referral hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that the GB Pant Hospital plays a crucial role in catering to the healthcare needs of the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and as a result, it witnesses a significant influx of patients, attendants, and other individuals on a daily basis. He added that the existing parking area at the hospital is limited, and the recent closure of the TB ward parking area has further exacerbated the situation.
He mentioned that during the morning hours, a rush for parking becomes evident, causing inconvenience to a large number of people. The current parking area, located within the hospital premises, quickly reaches full capacity. Consequently, vehicles spill onto the roadside leading up to Jail Junction, creating a chaotic situation.
The Member of Parliament further pointed out that many individuals, including patients and attendants, find themselves without parking space and are compelled to park at distant locations such as the sea shore area or the Netaji Stadium parking lot. This forces them to undertake additional travel by auto-rickshaw or on foot to reach the hospital, adding unnecessary stress to their already challenging circumstances.
“Of particular concern are cases where individuals, especially those transporting seriously ill patients, are left in a difficult predicament. After dropping off the patient at the hospital, they neither accompany the patient nor park their vehicle in designated areas, leaving the patient stranded and vulnerable,” he added.
He mentioned that the existing parking area was earmarked several decades back looking at the requirement of that time but now the G B Pant Hospital has expanded and added many new branches, wards and facilities. “Most importantly we also have ANIIMS now also and hence the number of patients have also increased, many fold,” he said.
In light of these challenges, he proposed the conversion of the existing parking area into a three-story parking facility.
He said that this expansion would enhance the hospital’s parking capacity, adequately meeting the daily requirements of patients and their attendants.
In conclusion, car parking is an integral component of urban infrastructure, shaping the way we interact with our cities and contributing to the overall efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems. As technology and urban planning continue to evolve, the future of car parking holds promise for more efficient, user-friendly, and environmentally conscious solutions.