‘Free parking’ has police cash registers ringing

‘Free parking’ has police cash registers ringing
WELCOME TO NAMMA BANGALORE: THE STORY OF PARKING WOES, FINES AND INAUGURATIONS
The Times of India

Bangalore: Mayor Narayanaswamy’s ‘free parking’ scheme has resulted in a whopping rise in collection of fines for the traffic police. They collected Rs 30.3 lakh by April 30, an additional income of about Rs 8 lakh. Most of the fines were collected by way of ‘no parking’ fines.

Traffic offences, especially haphazard parking, has increased after the new system. Policemen booked over 24,000 cases more in April compared to March when the pay-and-park scheme was in force. They booked 70,142 cases for no parking in April, compared to 46,078 in March. In March, they collected Rs 22.45 lakh as fines.

However, contrary to belief that the theft of vehicles will witness a steep upswing with the new system, police statistics reveal that there has been no marked rise in the number of vehicles stolen during April as compared to previous months. However, additional commissioner of police (traffic) K.V.R. Tagore said there has been an eight per cent increase in theft of vehicles from parking lots. Majority of vehicles stolen are two-wheelers.

Before the system was introduced, the mayor and police commissioner S. Mariswamy were at loggerheads with the latter claiming that parking would be chaotic and lead to rise in thefts. Narayanaswamy, on the other hand, forfeited the huge revenue generated from parking fee.

Nevertheless, the state exchequer still stands to gain from the fines collected by the police. While thefts increased marginally and the common man is freed of dealing with arrogant parking attendants, they still have to put up with haphazard parking. Though some motorists feel the system is good as they don’t have to pay for parking, others say they would rather pay a nominal fee and avoid the hassles of shifting vehicles to make space.“Earlier, the attendant would ensure adequate space. Now we have to make space by moving other vehicles,’’ Naveen A, a two-wheeler rider, said.
Yet, for the traffic police, it’s a bonanza: they collected Rs 22.6 lakh in fine for no parking and Rs 7.7 lakh from towing charges.