Confusion over parking continues

Confusion over parking continues

Deccan Herald

Even before the government has taken a final decision on pay-and-park system, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has begun refunding the deposit amount due to parking contractors on Thursday.

Confusion reigns as the BMP has resolved to reintroduce free parking zones on 134 roads, effective from April 1. The Mayor has appealed to the public not to pay any parking fee except in certain specified areas. The parking fee will continue to be collected on Brigade Road, Commercial Street, buildings and complexes of BMP and multi-level parking complexes.

The parking contractors too agreed to stop collecting fee after the BMP assured that their deposits would be refunded. Police Commissioner S Mariswamy and Home Secretary Brahma Dutt have already said that the pay-and-park scheme would be retained, while Mayor Narayanswamy and BMP Commissioner Jothiramalingam are of the opinion that the scheme should be scrapped.
Meanwhile, sources close to Dharam Singh told Deccan Herald that the final decision has still not been taken, “as the chief minister is busy with other issues.”
The government would consider the views of both the BMP and the police before taking a final decision, sources said.

Sources in the BMP said the Palike has the powers to go ahead with its decision to reintroduce free parking in anticipation of the government’s approval.
It is understood that Commissioner Jothiramalingam has already ordered the refund of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to parking lot contractors.

A suggestion that the BMP hire private security agencies to man its parking lots until people get used to the switch-over to the free parking system, was made during the budget proposal discussions in the BMP Council on Thursday. It will not cost the BMP more than Rs 60 lakh a year, it was noted.

Mr Padmanabha Reddy JD(U) said though the citizens were happy about the free parking system, they were also apprehensive of the safety of their vehicles.