Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Shifting the Bhopal collectorate from Old Secretariat to Professor Colony will lead to parking problems not much different from the one currently being faced in New Market.
Initially, New Market was developed as a Central Business District (CBD) — a key commercial and business hub of the state capital, however, today parking has become a major issue in the area and a deterrent for shoppers to visit the market.
Parking vehicles on roads has become a common practice here and disputes between commuters and parking agents is an everyday scene. The CBD is now being termed ‘city centrer’ or ‘downtown.’ The architects are of the opinion that once the collectorate is relocated to Professor Colony, the area will witness severe parking issues.
They instead advocated a re-densification plan for the collectorate’s current location at the Old Secretariat, which spans 4 hectares (10 acres). Debunking the idea that shifting the collectorate to Professor Colony would bring it closer to important establishments like Vallabh Bhavan and the CM House, the architects argued that with the adoption of online work culture in both administration and professional life, the concept of physical proximity is far less relevant.
KK Dhote
MANIT Professor (Architecture)
“We have seen the plight of New Market due to parking problems. It was developed as a CBD, but look at its condition now. The same will happen with Professor Colony if the Bhopal collectorate is shifted there, as it already has CM House, Bharat Bhavan, and Boat Club in close proximity. The parking problem in and around Professor Colony will multiply with the shifting of the collectorate.”
SM Hussain, Architect
“When online work culture has become a part of administration and professional practices, close proximity is no longer necessary. Besides, there is required space at the Old Secretariat and a high-rise building could be constructed at the back while preserving the heritage beauty of the Old Secretariat.”
