Police have few options for parking problems in City

Police have few options for parking problems in City
Deccan Herald

Caught in a pincer. That is perhaps an apt way to describe the condition most Bangaloreans with own vehicles find themselves in.

Caught in a pincer. That is perhaps an apt way to describe the condition most Bangaloreans with own vehicles find themselves in. On the one side, you’ve all the hassles of parking, and on the other, the ‘tortures’ imposed by the one-way traffic norm.

These ‘twin terrors’ topped City motorists’ list of grievances at their two-hour interaction with the traffic police on Sunday.

Residents and traders from the City over minced no words when it came to airing their ire at the authorities for lack of adequate parking space in almost all areas. They were equally unsparing on the one-way traffic system on all major roads.


Shabari Prasad of 7th cross, Lavelle Road, wanted parking facility in front of Airlines Hotel restored. He pointed out that when there was two-way traffic, parking was allowed near the hotel but was done away wiit since the unidirectional movement was introduced.

Praveen Jaipuri, a trader from Seshadripuram, suggested a parking ban on the Ist main road as heavy vehicles were being parked there, leading to “blockage of footpaths”. Pedestrians are forced to walk on road despite dense vehicular traffic, he added.

Murali of Malleswaram complained that even vehicles left in parking zones were being towed away. In response, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ishwar Prasad assured him that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.

Akhila Satyanarayana of Sadashivnagar said movement of heavy vehicles and honking at night by such vehicles was disturbing the peace of local residents. She wanted the police to put up sign boards banning honking in residential areas.

Few options

Ramakrishna Holla, travel company owner, and other traders requested the police to allow parking on Sampangiramnagar Ist main as there was less traffic density on that stretch.

Veda Samapth of KH Road (Double road) complained that BMTC buses were parked hapazardly near bus-stands, impeding movement of other vehicles. There were two bus-stands on that road and both should be shifted, she felt.

The police had no instant solutions to offer. But one point was made clear by DCP M A Saleem: Parking facility on roadside is a luxury in central Bangalore. It is up to the BMP to provide multi-storey parking facilities, he said.

Increasing vehicular volume was forcing the police to do away with parking facility on several roads. In last six months, parking was banned on 26 roads, he pointed out.

IN REVERSE GEAR

DCP Saleem announced that two-way vehicular movement would soon be reintroduced between the Coffee Day Junction and Hotel Rama on Lavelle Road. The residents of Lavelle Road have complained that they have to travel long to reach MG Road, which is close to Lavelle Road, due to the one-way system.