No parking on Brigade Road

No parking on Brigade Road
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU


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If the BBMP has its way, Brigade Road and Commercial Street will soon be turned into no parking zones from 10 am to 9 pm so that they can be converted into “walking streets.” If the proposal sent by the BBMP, which has been incorporated in the parking policy, is approved by the state government, it will soon become a reality.

“Some busy commercial roads in Edinburgh in Scotland have been converted into ‘walking streets’ to help pedestrians. Pedestrians visiting these areas can stroll through the road freely. This will ease congestion in the central business district in Bengaluru and will benefit both shoppers and traders,” said highly placed sources in BBMP.

“We are mulling over turning these two busy roads into “walking streets” However, adequate parking facilities will be provided adjacent to these two busy roads to help both shoppers and traders,” said sources.

The BBMP in its draft parking policy has proposed to designate two roads in Bengaluru — Brigade Road and Commercial Street — as no parking zones.

The proposal in the draft copy reads: Commercial Street to be designated as ‘Closed for vehicles’ from 10 am to 9 pm and to be supported by parking near Kamaraj Road. Brigade Road to be designated as ‘Closed for vehicles’ from 10 am to 9 pm and to be supported by parking near M.G. Road.

A proposal has been sent to the state government for approval. If the state government approves it, it will be implemented with the support of the traffic police.

However, a provision will be made for multi-level parking for both cars and two wheelers on MG Road, Kamaraj Road, Dickenson Road and surrounding areas.

The BBMP has also proposed pedestrian-cum-parking zones. It has identified Gandhinagar, Chikpet, Seshadri Road, Kalidasa Marg, KG Road, Mysore Road and others for these pedestrian-cum-parking zone.

This apart, five mechanical parking facilities with a capacity to accommodate 500 vehicles each will be provided, sources added.

Traffic Engineers Safety Trainers chairman M.N.

Srihari says: “The concept of “walking streets” or “walking avenues” are common and popular in some cities in the US, England, Scotland, Canada and others. This is being adopted here keeping environment concerns in mind and to ensure that the public enjoys shopping.”