BENGALURU: Traffic police are busy collecting hefty fine amounts from vehicle riders, but no one is listening to the parking woes of motorists as the city lacks proper infrastructure for parking.
Neither the traffic department nor the BBMP is showing any concern to riders in this connection.
Traffic police themselves agree that there is shortage of parking space in the city.
The plight is much worse in the Central Business District (CBD). Vehicle riders are forced to park their vehicles in places for which they will be fined in thousands.
It is estimated that there are more than 80 lakh vehicles in the city, apart from thousands which are registered and come on to the road every day. On one hand, vehicle owners are parking their cars and bikes on the roads as there is no space earmarked for parking inside the building premises. On the other hand, educational institutions park their vehicles as per their whims and fancies. The BBMP which is expected to take action in this regard has turned a blind eye.
P Harishekaran, former additional commissioner of traffic in the city, had been assigned the task of identifying potential parking spaces on government land and submit a report.
The police themselves have identified as many as 82 parking places and submitted a report in this regard to the BBMP along with survey numbers. It is said that BBMP had sent this report to the government and is awaiting its consent.
The traffic police have collected as much as Rs 14.33 lakh after the imposition of heavy fine amount in connection with parking vehicles in no parking zones and for parking vehicles dangerously and in prohibited places across the city.
When asked about the predicament of the pedestrians, Srihari M N, a traffic expert explained that, generally roads are meant for traffic while footpaths are for pedestrians.
“Why should BBMP reserve roads for parking at any cost? Roads should be meant for traffic flow only. BBMP should build Multi Level Car Parking (MLCP) in all the areas. They can also earn revenue by doing so,” he maintained.
When asked about what should be done in the central business district where there is no space, Srihari explained that BBMP should vacate its own building to make way for parking space. “Besides, there is space near the Central College which can be utilised,” he pointed out.
