Police see red in free parking plans of BCC

Police see red in free parking plans of BCC
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Just as Bangaloreans thought harassment by parking attendants was set to become a thing of the past with the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) deciding to cancel paid parking lots from April 1, city Police Commissioner S. Mariswamy has sought to reverse BCC’s proposal despite blood letting, literally, on the subject.

The Commissioner has written to the BCC recently demanding continuation of paid parking lots and drew its attention to the increasing number of vehicle thefts already taking place on city roads. ‘‘Free parking will create chaos and would increase incidents of crime in parking lots. Such a move would encourage haphazard parking and absence of any parking attendant would increase thefts,’’ said Mariswamy.

City Mayor R. Narayanswamy, however, is piqued. ‘‘How can police advise the BCC on such matters? It is a Council decision. Can’t the police fine the vehicles parked in no-parking zones? Can’t they monitor crimes? Why should the commonman pay for their inconvenience? Even the Chief Minister has appreciated this move,’’ he said.

But Mariswamy countered this saying: ‘‘You cannot give everyone a free hand to commit crime and then ask the police to do their job. Just because we can fine vehicles parked in no parking zones, the BCC should not make it easy for violators.’’

Further, he said just one instance of murder over a squabble on parking fees cannot justify removal of parking fees. He said he was still awaiting a reply from the BCC.

However, Narayanaswamy is against responding to the Commissioner’s letter. ‘‘Why should the BCC reply to the police? I will take it up with the Chief Minister and see that free parking is implemented from April 1,’’ he asserted.