Pvt firm hogs parking space

Pvt firm hogs parking space
Ashwini Y S | TNN

Bangalore: A parking facility created for public use has been taken over by a private enterprise, ever since it was set up. And the common man is bearing the brunt.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) parking space at Shivajinagar bus stand was created about six years ago. The intention was to decongest the area and provide parking space for shopowners and others.
However, it has been let out to a private company, which has offices on Cunningham Road and Edward Street. Its employees, who park their fourwheelers here, are then ferried to office in cabs or buses.
The parking area, which can accommodate about 171 four-wheelers and 39 two-wheelers, ends up adding to existing parking woes.
According to a shopowner on Commercial Street Cross, there is no place to park his car. He has to circle the area several times before he can finally find a spot.
“Sometimes, I get to park near my store, but this leads to traffic congestion, as the roads are very narrow and traffic density keeps increasing. Until a month ago, I’d park above the bus stand. But I was told by the manager and the watchman that I could no longer park there,’’ he said.
The trouble started soon after the parking space was created. BMTC let out most of the space to the same private company. After a hue and cry, about 30 per cent of the lot was reserved for the public. This arrangement continued until recently, with BMTC charging Rs 960 as monthly fee. Last month, BMTC stopped public parking after the company reportedly offered to pay 20 per cent more than the existing parking fee.
All the 171 four-wheeler slots have been let out to the company and 39 dedicated twowheelers slots are also being used by four-wheelers. “Since BMTC has entered into a contract, the two-wheeler slots had to be done away with and the company is accommodating four or five more cars,’’ said a spokesperson.
BMTC managing director Upendra Tripathy told TOI that the corporation was creating additional parking space on the second floor, which would be for public use. “Around Rs 20 lakh has been kept aside for this and work will be initiated shortly,’’ he said.
FAST FACTS
Parking space at Shivajinagar bus-stand built in 2001-02 Until recently, public parking was allowed in some portion Parking fee for four-wheelers (per month): Rs 960 Private company offers to pay 20% extra — now pays Rs 1152 per car every monthPvt firm hogs parking space
Ashwini Y S | TNN

Bangalore: A parking facility created for public use has been taken over by a private enterprise, ever since it was set up. And the common man is bearing the brunt.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) parking space at Shivajinagar bus stand was created about six years ago. The intention was to decongest the area and provide parking space for shopowners and others.
However, it has been let out to a private company, which has offices on Cunningham Road and Edward Street. Its employees, who park their fourwheelers here, are then ferried to office in cabs or buses.
The parking area, which can accommodate about 171 four-wheelers and 39 two-wheelers, ends up adding to existing parking woes.
According to a shopowner on Commercial Street Cross, there is no place to park his car. He has to circle the area several times before he can finally find a spot.
“Sometimes, I get to park near my store, but this leads to traffic congestion, as the roads are very narrow and traffic density keeps increasing. Until a month ago, I’d park above the bus stand. But I was told by the manager and the watchman that I could no longer park there,’’ he said.
The trouble started soon after the parking space was created. BMTC let out most of the space to the same private company. After a hue and cry, about 30 per cent of the lot was reserved for the public. This arrangement continued until recently, with BMTC charging Rs 960 as monthly fee. Last month, BMTC stopped public parking after the company reportedly offered to pay 20 per cent more than the existing parking fee.
All the 171 four-wheeler slots have been let out to the company and 39 dedicated twowheelers slots are also being used by four-wheelers. “Since BMTC has entered into a contract, the two-wheeler slots had to be done away with and the company is accommodating four or five more cars,’’ said a spokesperson.
BMTC managing director Upendra Tripathy told TOI that the corporation was creating additional parking space on the second floor, which would be for public use. “Around Rs 20 lakh has been kept aside for this and work will be initiated shortly,’’ he said.
FAST FACTS
Parking space at Shivajinagar bus-stand built in 2001-02 Until recently, public parking was allowed in some portion Parking fee for four-wheelers (per month): Rs 960 Private company offers to pay 20% extra — now pays Rs 1152 per car every month