ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday launched a digital parking system at Jinnah Super Market after introducing the facility in two other commercial centres.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa inaugurated the Digital Smart Parking Management System at F-7 Markaz during the oath-taking ceremony of the traders’ union.

Speaking on the occasion, the CDA chairman said revenue collected from the parking fee would be spent on the development of Marakiz of Islamabad, said a press release issued by the civic agency.

Earlier, the service was launched in a parking lot adjacent to Centaurus Mall and according to CDA it has been receiving record revenue from there.

CDA chief says revenue collected from parking fee would be utilised for development of Marakiz

“Earlier, the maximum revenue collected by DMA from the Centaurus parking was Rs2.2 million per month. However, through this system we collected Rs11.5 million in one month,” said a board member of the CDA.

Similarly, he said, a handsome amount was being collected from the parking lot of H-9 Sunday bazaar.

The civic agency had also installed the system in G-8 Markaz on a trial basis but it was halted after opposition from traders.

Under this system, the CDA charges a Rs100 parking fee; however, there is no fee for parking of less than 15 minutes. The fee is collected in a digital way but cash is also accepted through vending machines. The CDA introduced the system through a private firm which has installed the system under the revenue sharing formula. The CDA gets 75pc of the fee and 25pc goes to the private firm.

During the event at Jinnah Super Market, the chairman stated that the CDA was taking steps to maintain and uplift all the Marakiz.

He stressed the needs for the Marakiz to have its own revenue stream for their uplift. In this connection, digital parking is an important initiative and the revenue generated from it will be utilised for development and uplift of the Marakiz.

Mr Randhawa said the digital smart parking will not only ensure revenue generation, but will also help in mitigating traffic congestion with better management.

Members of the traders’ union presented their suggestions and concerns regarding the development and betterment of Marakiz. The CDA statement said that the chairman assured the traders that their suggestions and concerns would be carefully reviewed, adding the CDA would make utmost efforts to address the concerns while viable suggestions would be taken into considerations in the policy and decision making.

Electric vehicles

Meanwhile, the CDA chief chaired a meeting to discuss plans to shift public and commercial vehicles into electric ones. The meeting also reviewed a proposal for digital advertisement on metro and EV buses and their stations.

According to the press release, the chairman said this initiative marks a pivotal step toward achieving a greener, more efficient public transportation system in Islamabad.

He directed to take on board all relevant stakeholders for transforming commercial buses into electric ones, besides exploring the provision of special incentives to encourage a faster shift towards electric mobility. The focus of the initiative should be on reducing carbon footprint and improving environmental impact.

The meeting stressed the need for upgrading charging infrastructure as a key to the success of the initiative.

The CDA chief instructed to introduce new regulations to facilitate the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations at petrol pumps across the city.

The meeting decided that the CDA will take up the matter of shifting buses into electric ones with all institutions and organisations, including schools, colleges and universities in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024