Parking attendants are a popular lot!

Parking attendants are a popular lot!

Two-wheeler riders and four-wheeler drivers welcome the withdrawing of licences of parking contractors

Shwetha S. Bangalore
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) may have taken a firm decision not to allow their contractors to collect parking fees, but motorists in the city prefer independent parking attendants who supervise parking for a livelihood.
The Bangalore motorists have clearly indicated that they are not willing to endure the rude, mafia-like behaviour of the BBMP parking contractors, whose attendants were never found helping motorists while trying to park their vehicles. The motorists have found over the years that such independently functioning parking attendants are more flexible to deal with, as they do not insist on fixed amounts. Rather, they are happy with what the motorists give them in return for taking care of their vehicle even after they help them parking their vehicles – something that BBMP parking attendants never did.
Two-wheeler riders and four-wheeler drivers are unanimous in their opinion that withdrawing the licences of their parking contractors was "one of the best things that the BBMP has done".
Kumar Jain, a bank employee, said he would rather prefer to park his vehicle where the independent parking attendants are, "because they don't compel you to pay and they are happy with whatever amount you dole out."
Jain feels BBMP contracted attendants forced motorists to pay Rs10 an hour in spite of being pointed out that motorists did not have to pay after 2005.
"I have been parking in this lot (on Brunton Road) for the past two years, and I have developed a trust towards this attendant. He takes care of my vehicle and also provides space for my vehicle as soon I come," he says.
Shanmugham, the private attendant that Jain talks about, says: "As soon as motorists come in, they try to get parking space. I ensure that they lock their vehicles before they leave. They pay me whatever they feel like and I do not force them. There are also some who give us their keys to park their vehicles when they are in a hurry. I feel I have gained their trust," he said.
S Priyadarshini, a college student, feels these independent parking attendants are a great help, especially for women, who find it difficult to make space for two-wheeler parking. "These guys actually shift the other bikes close to each other so that space for another is made."
Chandru has worked as an independent parking attendant for the past two years, working from 10am to 9pm.
These independent parking attendants are unregulated. But, senior police officers too are appreciative of their services as it prevents vehicle theft to a considerable extent.