Park, pay & risk your vehicle

Park, pay & risk your vehicle

BBMP will move the court to ENSURE THAT THE BAN ON PARKING FEE STAYS

Basavaraj Itnaal. Bangalore
Despite the Karnataka High Court staying the order of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to withdraw paid parking by roadsides, the civic body is firm in its resolve not to allow contractors to collect parking fees.
BBMP commissioner Dr S Subramanya told DNA that the enquiry into how a licence was issued to Aishwarya Associates to collect parking fees on MG Road and in Indiranagar and Koramangala would continue. "The assistant revenue officer (ARO) who issued the licence to is under suspension," he said.
But what about the stay order?
"We will approach the court and seek the vacation of the stay," he assured.
The commissioner added that the licence was contrary to BBMP's parking policy. "We decided not to allow individual contractors to run parking lots but only let associations of traders run them where required," he said.
Interestingly, there was no response from traders when the Palike invited bids to run metered parking lots on 37 roads.
Subramanya added, "Local traders will benefit from parking lots not just in terms of earnings from metered parking but also from increased business. If traders do not respond, it means there is no need for parking on the stretch. So there is no question of allowing individual contractors."
Minister for law and urban development S Suresh Kumar, however, sought to take a rational view.
"Parking infrastructure is necessary in any city. In Bangalore, it is the wrong approach to parking that has caused the chaos. Contractors were allowed to collect parking fee while they had neither accountability nor any commitment to the terms of service. Contractors must be asked to provide shelter for vehicles and be made responsible for their safety. The fee has to be fixed based on these terms of service. Parking lots should not be seen as a source of revenue but as an obligatory civic amenity," he said.
Presently, parking lots display a sign that says, 'Parking only at owner's risk'.
Additional commissioner (East) S Puttaswamy indicated that the enquiry into the contract episode would only intensify.
"The court has only stayed the withdrawal order, not quashed it. While we address the issue legally, the enquiry is on. The contractor must have taken receipt books from the Palike before commencing the levy. He seemed to have printed his own book. This needs to be looked into," he said.
Puttuswamy added that even after placing the ARO under suspension, he commented on the enquiry before the media thus aggravating the charges against him.