Eight years on: Ctg’s first multilevel, automated car park sits unused
Constructed at a cost of Tk4 crore with technological assistance from Japan, Germany, and China, the seven-storey structure was designed to accommodate 29 cars using a tray-based system
The Chattogram Development Authority's first multilevel automated car parking facility, inaugurated in 2017 to reduce traffic congestion in the New Market area, has remained unused since its launch.
Constructed at a cost of Tk4 crore with technological assistance from Japan, Germany, and China, the seven-storey structure was designed to accommodate 29 cars using a tray-based system.
Drivers have avoided the facility, citing safety concerns and mistrust in the unfamiliar technology. Many feared that technical failures could damage their vehicles.
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As a result, cars continue to park illegally on the road in front of New Market, contributing to persistent traffic congestion in the area.
The automated parking system required cars to be placed on trays that would move automatically across floors, with a charge of Tk20 per hour. It was supposed to be a card-based system but since the authorities couldn't implement it, they opted for cash payment.
Each of the first six floors holds five trays, with one tray left empty to allow car movement. The seventh floor could hold five cars, bringing the total capacity to 29.
However, the system never operated as planned, as people avoided it. Over time, the absence of skilled operators and machine maintenance rendered the structure entirely inactive.
Vice-President of the Forum for Planned Chittagong, Subhash Barua, criticised the project, saying, "These multi-crore taka projects had no feasibility study. These are the people's tax money. It is unacceptable that they will waste money as they wish. They do not have the right to waste money this way. Everyone must speak out on these issues, must be vocal."
He also alleged all of CDA's projects are flops.
"They have their own contractors. Money goes into their people's pockets. They manipulate rates. Not just here, but in almost all projects in the country, a vicious cycle works from the secretary to the lower level; they must be brought under justice."
When contacted, CDA Chairman Md Nurul Karim acknowledged the issue, saying, "There are many problems at New Market, including those over car parking, escalators, and shops. The car parking can be fixed. It has to be done slowly."
He added, "CDA's fund situation is very bad. CDA was left bankrupt [by the previous government]. We have sat with the market committee. First, we will fix the escalators. Then, gradually, we will start the remaining work."
