A SENIOR police official said last month that Yangon needs to develop a better parking system for automobiles to reduce traffic congestion.

“Roads are meant for driving so we need more spaces where vehicles can be parked,” said the commander of Yangon Division Wireless and Traffic Police Force, Traffic Police Lieutenant Colonel Aung Naing.

“We need to build more car parks in Yangon. Shopping centres like Theingyi Zay and Yuzana Plaza already have parking lots on each floor. Now the Yangon City Development Committee is building a lot behind New Bogyoke Aung San Market,” he said.

“After the parking lot is finished, street parking will no longer be allowed near the market on Bogyoke Aung San Road, Shwebontha Street, Anawrahta Street, 27th Street and Konzaytan Street. We expect traffic jams in the area to be reduced to a certain extent,” he said.

He said the most congested areas in Yangon were Kyauktada and Pabedan townships, especially between 11am to 2pm.

From January 1 to July 31, the Traffic Police Force fined 4896 vehicles for illegal parking.