Guest column: Strict parking policy for main roads and residential areas needed

The parking issue is a larger problem and cannot be resolved in a month’s time as it takes enormous amount of work. First we need to realise why there is a parking issue on both the main roads and in residential areas. It is mainly because of the rise in vehicular population, which cannot be addressed by the traffic police.

One needs to understand that the parking issue cannot be tackled by the traffic police alone. The BBMP and transport department must come together to study the problem and draw up a suitable plan to solve it.

A strict parking policy for both the main roads and residential areas should be worked out and the government should ensure that it is implemented. The traffic police can then tow away vehicles and impose fines on people, who park their vehicles in areas that are clearly labelled ‘No Parking’ zones. Only a collective effort by all departments can help in regulating traffic and solve the city’s parking issues.

But we cannot always blame the government either as people too need to realise that parking on a 40ft or 30ft wide road can be a problem for the smooth flow of traffic. But most don't realise this and only care for their own comfort, although they can always go ahead and look for a proper parking space where their vehicles will not prove an obstruction to traffic.

-- Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic)