‘Parking will be perfect soon’: Mayor's utopian dreams

‘Parking will be perfect soon’
By Smitha Rao/TNN

Bangalore: Five months into office, mayor R. Narayanaswamy’s biggest claim to fame is the scrapping of the pay-and-park system, a move the elected representatives and officials choose to ignore. In an interview, the mayor says it required a lot of determination to stick to the decision and iterate in the budget. Soon, parking attendants will be deployed to man vehicles sans fees and harassment.

Excerpts:
How effective has the scrapping of pay-and-park system been? Are your officers going around ensuring its implementation?
Engineers have been asked to keep a vigil. If we get a complaint, we’ll inspect. From the feedback, it’s been extremely effective. Initially, the old contractors were mounting pressure fearing they would be left high and dry. Now that we’ve assured them that the dues would be cleared, they are co-operative.

What about the police commissioner’s letter to the government voicing apprehension about vehicle thefts? Besides, the government is yet to clear the scrapping of the scheme.
In 2004, over 2,000 vehicles were stolen. In the last three months, statistics reported in the media says 538 vehicles were stolen. Why was this happening even with parking attendants? If a vehicle crosses the yellow line or if it’s parked beyond the parking zone, the police collect hefty fine. The CM has given his approval (for scrapping the scheme) verbally; BCC resolution has been sent to them and is awaiting approval. I assure the citizens that paying for parking is gone.

Some citizens are worried about haphazard parking and damage to their vehicles?
Most citizens are happy. The move is aimed at some relief to the middle class. Having paid so much for the vehicle and for petrol and maintenance, why should they be taxed some Rs 50 every day? Only royal families can pay and flaunt their stuff. In a fortnight, there will also be parking attendants — give me some time.

What about the anti-litter law you declared would be introduced soon?
Anti-litter law will certainly be introduced but I can’t predict when. Because, if we introduced it suddenly it would be difficult for the common person. The action plan is: 30 health officers with megaphones go to areas infamous for litter. They are educating people about the ills of littering and the diseases it can breed.

Anti-littering is being enforced on traders though. In 2004-05, Rs 6 lakh was collected as fines from traders like hoteliers littering the neighbourhood. As per Supreme Court guidelines, our health officers, 200 junior and 100 senior officers, are walking around with receipt books for fining them.