It is pain and park!!!

It is pain and park!!!
Pay and park or park any which way? Politicians and corporators want to stall pay system, traffic police want it, people are fed up. All it needs is ‘wheel’ power!
The Times of India

Bangalore: About a year ago, Bangaloreans heaved a collective sigh of relief. They will all sigh again, in defeat and frustration.

The much abused pay-and-park scheme threatens to return, but here’s where it stands — some politicos are stalling it to lengthen their “public good’’ moments, traffic police say they are a harassed lot, BMP officials seem to be smugly implementing whatever is thrust upon them. Whither we the people?

In April 2005, the BMP passed a resolution banning the scheme. The resolution copy was sent to the government for approval. The Dharam Singh-led government declared it null and void and sent it back to BMP. As per the Karnataka Municipal Corporation rules, the BMP has two options — either accept the rejected resolution or re-send the resolution to the government.

Corporators at the BMP, including the Congress and BJP floor leaders, declare that they will send it back. Why, moments after the BMP’s budget presentation, BJP floor leader in the council, Basavaraju, said: “It is our government ruling, we will fight so that the scheme does not return.’’

The BJP, on its part, is unwilling to let go of its pet city-specific claim to fame — lobbying hard for scrapping the pay and park.

The scrapping, however, has led to an increased ‘no-parking’ violations. Resulting in fattening the police department’s coffers. But the department is increasingly facing a harrowing time in dealing with haphazard parking, vehicle thefts and damage to property. No points for guessing who loses out on precious parking space.
After the system was discontinued in 2005, ‘no-parking’ violations shot up by over one lakh cases. In 2004, traffic police booked 1,43,839 cases, which went up to 2,47,190 in 2005.

Though offences compounded generated crores for the department, senior police officers say it’s a burden on the short-staffed traffic force that is also overworked.

The traffic police sent several letters to the BMP to re-introduce the pay-and-park system. According to an officer, haphazard parking is rampant in many areas and the Tiger (police tow-vehicles) are constantly on the move. Even increasing the amount fined has not deterred motorists from violating parking rules.

“Adequate signs have been put up, but violations continue. Places where 10 cars can be parked, are occupied by six that are parked haphazardly,’’ DCP Traffic (East) M A Saleem said. If the system is re-introduced, a system is already in place. Saleem explained that the nature of parking has been notified for all roads where parking is allowed.

BMP commissioner K Jothiramalingam said that he has relayed the specifics to the traffic police department and is awaiting a response from them. He maintains that the list of roads has not reached the BMP. However, the traffic police said that there are 142 roads where the system can be re-introduced. The roads include M G Road, parts of Residency Road, Infantry Road, Hospital Road, Cunningham Road, CMH Road, Sampige Road, JC Road, Bazaar Street in Ulsoor, parts of BVK Iyengar Road, Subedar Chatram Road, Kamaraj Road and Dispensary Road. Parking authority

The state government in its budget announced Bangalore Metropolitan Parking Authority. A budgetary allocation for the same has not been spelt out but provisions made suggest that the Parking Authority devise a modus operandi of generating funds and sustaining itself. Traffic Police and the BMP officials contend that they know about the Parking Authority and even guess that they probably constitute the committee but are unwilling to hazard into its workings.

What alternative?

The traffic police have suggested that portions of storm water drains on Mysore Road, some roads at Indiranagar be covered to facilitate parking. Among other alternatives are more multi-level parking complexes, mechanised underground parking and encouraging private operators.

The traffic police have also sent a list of violations where cellars and basements have been encroached upon for commercial purposes.

SOME STATISTICS

NO OF VEHICLES (AS ON AUGUST 31, 2005)

Two-wheelers - 17,40,843 Four-wheelers-3,50,800 Cases booked: 2004 - 1,43,839, 2005 - 2,47,190

More places to park

Car parking-cum-commercial complex at City Shed, Commercial complex at Bakshi Garden, Commercial complex-cum-parking complex at Davis Road, Parking-cum-commercial complex at Gandhi Bazaar, Complex at Hombegowdanagar, Complex at Padmanabhanagar, Complex near Pottery Town Ground, Shopping-cum-parking complex near Mavalli, Multi-storeyed parking premises at Broadway, Shivajinagar, Cubbonpet Market, EWS-cum-commercial complex, Johnson Market, Krumbigal Road multi-purpose complex, Malleswaram Market and Yediyur new market-cum-parking complex