Bengaluru: The BBMP is planning to hire a private agency to maintain the parking space near Russell Market, where parking has been banned in front of its premises over the last four days after the demolition of illegal shops.
The ban was lifted only after local MLA Roshan Baig and Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Harishekaran visited the spot on Wednesday.
The two visited the market after the traders threatened to shut entire Shivaji Nagar on Saturday if parking is not allowed near the market. They inspected the area and found that an empty space in front of the market, which was earlier being utilised for parking, was barricaded.
A traffic police officer, who was at the spot, said that both the MLA and Additional Commissioner of Police were not sure why that empty space was not allowed for parking. “They contacted BBMP officials and found that parking was not allowed there as it would have encouraged footpath vendors to set up shops, leading to chaotic traffic,” the officer said.
He said, “The BBMP is now planning to hire a private agency to maintain the parking area and this was also suggested by Mr Baig. If a private agency is hired, chaos on the road can be avoided as no one will be allowed to park vehicles on the road and regular checks can prevent illegal vendors on footpaths.”
Asked about hiring a private agency to maintain the parking space, a BBMP official said, “There is a plan but we need approvals for it. We had suggested it to senior officers long ago, but no one showed interest. We just don’t want footpath encroachments and haphazard parking near the market. If this can be avoided, we can discuss about getting approvals for hiring a private agency to maintain parking."
He said that the money collected through parking will be split accordingly between the BBMP and agency. The BBMP’s share will be used to develop Russell Market.
