The Chief Minister of Mizoram Pu Zoramthanga today launced a new scheme called Parking House Support Scheme (PAHOSS) to address the traffic congestion in Aizawl city through provision of substantial amount of assistance for construction of parking space at various locations within Aizawl City by means of incentivizing private, recognised NGOs and/or Local Councils having suitable land and building. “With this scheme, we can hope for Mizoram to have one of the lowest record of traffic jams,” said the Chief Minister.

In the launching event held at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall to a small assembly of Councillors, government officials and mediapersons, Pu Zoramthanga explained that while the existing number of parking areas in Aizawl city has maximum capacity of approximately 4,500 vehicles, actual demand is more than 18,000. Moreover, city roads are extremely congested in the peak-hours. This could be addressed by a comprehensive and systematic provision of parking in the city, which would require private participation and thus PAHOSS was conceptualized, said the Chief Minister.

Under PAHOSS, assistance will be given in the form of grant-in-aid for construction of car parking at the rate of Rs 1.00 lakh per every light motor vehicle or every six two-wheeler. Private, recognised NGO or Local Council land owners who are willing to construct parking space for a minimum of 5 light motor vehicles (LMV) will be eligible to receive the assistance as a grant-in-aid. There will be no maximum number of cars that can be accommodated for availing assistance under the scheme. Parking fee should be collected by the owner as per rate fixed by the Aizawl Municipal Corporation from time to time. An Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of Mizoram will approve and sanction the assistance given and due monitoring and evaluation mechanism will be prescribed by the UD&PA Department, which will be the nodal agency for this scheme. Separate head of account will be made available with the implementing department for disbursal of assistance. Assistance under the scheme will be released as Grant-in-aid to the owner in 3 installments.

The Mayor of Aizawl, P.C. Lalhmingthanga also spoke on the occasion, lauding the efforts of the Chief Minister and the call for public participation towards solving a public problem through positive means. Dr. Vanlalramsanga, Planning Secretary and Pu LH Shanliana, IGP also spoke on the occasion.