Commercial Street parking row continues

Commercial Street parking row continues



Express News Service First Published : 18 Apr 2009 09:51:39 AM ISTLast Updated : 18 Apr 2009 11:34:12 AM IST
BANGALORE: Shoppers at Commercial Street are facing a tough time with the sudden ban on parking on either sides of Kamaraj Road.
Parking in front of the Army Public School and the opposite side was blocked a couple of days ago by the Army as the BBMP had failed to maintain cleanliness and check unauthorised parking fee collection here.
With the situation unchanged even three days after the ban, the Bangalore Commercial Street Shopkeepers’ Association members have come forward to find a solution along with the BBMP and the Army.
The association is trying hard to assure the Army that the parking slot would be maintained well.
Ajay Motwani, vice-president, Bangalore Commercial Street Shopkeepers Association said, “We are ready to take an initiative to solve this issue and be of some help to the Palike and Army.” BBMP joint commissioner (East) Puttaswamy said, “The parking space provided by the Defence was not maintained and there was unauthorised parking fee collected and this was happening without our knowledge. Now that this issue has been brought to my notice, I have issued orders to the officials to clean the place and also look into the parking fee issue.” The BBMP is also looking forward to meet the Bangalore Commercial Street Shopkeepers Association and Army officials to try and solve the issue.
Defence spokesperson said, “The land belongs to the Army but considering public need, the Sub Area Commander had provided that land for the public.
Later when the land became a hub of illegal activities we brought it to the notice of the BBMP, but no action was taken.
We decided to ban the parking taking into consideration security issues.”