The lack of a dedicated parking facility at Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara is causing hardship to patients, attendants, hospital staff, traders and residents.
Attendants said vehicles carrying patients are allowed inside the campus only for drop-off and are then asked to leave.
Mumtaz Ahmad from Chowkibal, whose father was referred from Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara to GMC Handwara, said he was asked to move his vehicle after dropping his father at the hospital.
“My father was referred from SDH Kupwara to GMC Handwara. After dropping him inside the premises, the security officials told me to take out the vehicle,” he said.
“I had never been to Handwara before, so I was unaware of the available parking options. The nearest paid parking facility was at the old bus stand, nearly a kilometre away,” Ahmad added.
Residents and shopkeepers also questioned the absence of parking at the major healthcare institution.
“I fail to understand why this premier health institution has no proper parking facility for patients and visitors,” said Adil, a resident of Rajwar Handwara.
The shortage has also affected businesses and residents around the hospital, with vehicles regularly parked along roads and outside shops and houses.
“We are unable to even open our shops because every morning we find scores of vehicles parked in front of our shops. It really affects our business,” said Tahir Ahmad, a shopkeeper.
“District administration should immediately redress the issue,” he added.
“Our link road and even gates of our houses are always occupied by vehicles, which causes immense hardship for us,” said Mohammad Iqbal, another resident of Banday Mohalla.
Doctors and hospital staff said they too struggle to find parking inside the campus.
“All the faculty members suffer due to lack of parking facility inside GMC Handwara. We hardly find any space to park our vehicles,” an assistant professor, posted in the hospital, said.
Handwara Traders Federation General Secretary Abdul Rashid Malik suggested using unused Horticulture Department land opposite the hospital’s main entrance for parking.
“A large chunk of unused land belonging to the Horticulture Department is available opposite the main entrance of GMC Handwara and can be utilised for parking,” Malik said.
“The land is ideally located. The government should transfer it to GMC Handwara so that patients and attendants can get relief,” he added.
A senior GMC official acknowledged the parking problem faced by attendants.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb said the matter could be taken up with the district administration.
“Let GMC Handwara take up the issue with me. We will try to find some solution,” he said.
On around four Kanals of unused Horticulture Department land near the hospital, DC said, “The matter will be taken up with the department.”
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