A week after banning parking lots on 262 streets, Hanoi authorities have ordered agencies concerned to proceed with setting up new lots as replacements to meet the public’s demand for parking.

Police officers handle cases of parking violation on Luong Van Can Street in Hoan Kiem District, Photo: Tuoi Tre

Deputy chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Khoi has asked the city Transport Department, Police, and the authorities of district to work together to arrange new parking lots that must not affect traffic safety and order and must meet the urban landscape requirements.

The city leader also asked the Planning and Investment Department, in conjunction with the Transport Department, the districts’ People’s Committees and relevant agencies to speed up the progress of the parking projects and submit a report to the city People’s Committee next month.

Nguyen Thinh Thanh, head of the city People’s Committee Secretariat, said the city would also survey and assess the demand for parking in the city to make a basis for setting up new parking lots.

“Arrangement of parking lots must be carried out based on the real demand for parking to avoid the random granting of licenses to parking service operators,” Thanh said. 

As earlier reported, Hanoi have banned parking lots on 262 streets since February 15 but have not approved any new lots as replacements, causing troubles to those who need parking in their daily activities.

Traffic police held a motorbike in custody for parking on the sidewalk of Hang Gai street in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

The ban also affects many local traders who said they found it hard to maintain sales since the number of customers has considerably decreased. 

The city Transport Department said that on December 28, 2011, the city police and transport departments submitted a report to the city People’s Committee to suggest 224 streets on which parking services may be allowed, and 271 other streets where the service should be banned.

However, on February 6, 2012 the city ordered the revocation of parking lot licenses on 262 streets but did not regulate which streets should be allowed parking services.

Hanoi has only about 1,200 licensed parking lots, meeting just 8-10 percent of the public’s demand for parking.

Source: Tuoi Tre