BBMP messes it up again

BBMP messes it up again
By Sandeep Moudgal,DH News Service,Bangalore:
An organised and disciplined parking system is what most Bangaloreans want. But the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP), has failed yet another time in delivering this time to implement a metered parking system even after receiving directions from the State Government.


In June 2007, the Government, through a letter to the BBMP, had stated that a system of metered parking could be introduced on 37 roads of Bangalore without calling for a tender.
However, the BBMP failed to adhere by the letter, both in terms of implementation and the procedure.
The Palike had called for bids in October 2008 and the response was poor as only three trade organisations responded.
The BBMP was hoping that it would get response from all the 37 trade associations as the metered parking was planned on commercial roads.
With increasing traffic and shrinking parking space, it has become a City of hold ups and traffic jams.

Metered parking

A novel and ideal way of dealing with these issues would be through a regulated and systematic manner of parking, besides other measures.
The system of metered parking that was successfully implemented on Brigade Road and Commercial Street on a pilot project basis are good examples.
With no double parking and space for nearly 85 four wheelers on the stretch, it seems like an ideal scheme for setting up parking. Brigade Road generates nearly Rs 4 lakh a month in parking fee which is shared between the Brigade Road Traders Association and the BBMP on a ratio of 50-50. While the ratio on Commercial Street is on a 60-40 ratio favouring the traders association there.
Talking to Deccan Herald, Secretary for the Traders Association on Brigade Road, Suhail Yussuf, said, “We gave a detailed report with revenue collections and the number of vehicles that would require parking on these roads about 10 months ago. It was a win-win situation for both the parties involved.”
After an initial clearance from the City Police, the recommendation was sent to the Government six months ago. And even as the Government responded positively, the reasons for BBMP’s ignorance comes as a big surprise.