BMP may face complex problem in free regime

BMP may face complex problem in free regime

If pay and park system is retained in complexes, most vehicle-owners may choose to park in free parking zones (on roads) outside these complexes.
Deccan Herald

Mayor R Narayanaswamy may have been hailed for his bold decision to scrap parking fee from April 2005. But Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) may draw flak with respect its the proposed multi-storeyed car parking complex projects.
For, it is in a dilemma on whether to go ahead with its plans on collecting parking fee at the multi-crore complexes -- K G Road (capacity for 500 cars), Magrath Road (960 cars) and J C Road (300 cars) -- or to allow free parking. Either way it is bound to draw criticism under the proposed no-parking-fee regime from April.

Construction of the first two parking complexes is nearing completion under the Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) policy, wherein a part of the space will be used for commercial purposes by the developer. Construction of J C Road complex, on the other hand, is undertaken by BMP exclusively for two- and four-wheeler parking.

As per the BOOT agreement, the developer is entitled to use the ground floor for commercial purpose, while the first floor will be shared between the developer and BMP. Parking space in the basement and three floors above first floor, will be owned by BMP.

If BMP allows free parking in these lots, it has to terminate BOOT agreement with the developers by paying up a huge sum of money towards the construction cost of the complexes.

The total amount is estimated to be around Rs 25 crore, BMP official sources told Deccan Herald.

In the event of a situation where vehicle owners will choose to park in free parking zones, BMP will neither get any revenue nor it will be able to serve the purpose of creating parking space in these highly-congested places. “In fact, it is the developer who will gain as he is allowed to lease out shops for commercial purposes for stipulated period as per the agreement,” sources noted.

No parking zones?
BMP will have to declare all roads surrounding these lots as no parking zone, forcing vehicle owners to park in these parking lots. “This will not only lead to chaos and congestion near parking lots, but it will benefit private parking lots owners, who will continue to charge fee for parking,” traffic experts said.
When contacted, Mr Narayanaswamy said that BMP is yet to take a decision about parking complexes. “We will take suggestions from the traffic police before taking any decision,” he added.

He further said that K G Road and Magrath Road being very congested areas, pay-and-park system needs to be retained in these multi-storey parking complexes as it will help office-goers and shoppers to park their vehicles.