If all goes with the pilot project on Kasturba Road that began on December 14, 2019, smart parking will become a reality across 85 roads in Bengaluru from January 14 onwards in a phased manner. Some of the other thoroughfares include MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, Cunningham Road, Commercial Street, Avenue Road, Nrupathunga Road, Dispensary Road, Ali Askar Road, Lavelle Road, BVK Iyenger Road, Haines Road, Sankey Road, Palace Road, and Mallya Hospital Road, among others.
Right now, Kasturba Road can accommodate 100 four-wheelers and 300 two-wheelers. If this is fruitful, the city could have smart parking spaces for 3600 cars and 6400 bikes. While CPS is the company that will invest, develop, maintain and run the spaces, the BBMP will earn Rs 31 crore from it every year. Depending on the traffic density on the roads, the parking fee is divided into three tiers, ranging from Rs 15-30 for cars and Rs 5-15 for bikes. However, those who pay by e-wallets or cards, get more time to park. If it’s Rs 30 for 50 minutes for cash payments, it is 60 minutes for the same amount for e-payments.
This is a long-delayed project that was demanded more than a decade ago. Finally, former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had green signaled the project. However, it hit several technical and political hurdles along the way. When BS Yediyurappa took over as the chief minister, he scrapped the parking tenders in February this year, and reissued them in March. If not for the delay, the parking spots would have begun in September last year.
Reacting to the new parking initiatives, the residents are asking for better roads before the parking spots can come in. Others are wondering why BBMP is only responsible for collecting parking money and not the safety of the vehicle that is parked. Says Dwaraki Rao: “I like the first rule in terms and condition: Parking at owner’s risk. Very good, BBMP should only be responsible for “collecting” money.” Sangram Patnaik said prioritise some other aspects before taking up this initiative: “First have proper markings, clear out encroachments and make roads motorable – these are basics. Smart is next.” Some residents asked for a special zone for the handicapped.
A few residents felt that the civic agency was giving a step-motherly treatment to the areas that were not in the VVIP and Central Business Districts. “All activities only in CBD and VIP areas like Sadashivanagar,” tweeted Daipayan. “Any work in Bellandur area of highest tax payers and revenue to BBMP? Not at all.”
When the BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar tweeted that he and the mayor inspected the Kasturba Road parking area, Sujit Tepal suggested: “Inspect the roads and sometimes, your bribe-seeking officers also.”
Others were happy with this move. “The automobile industry must thank BBMP for these efforts. Most do not realize that auto sales fell before the updated Motor Vehicle Act came into force. Not only can you hardly drive on the road but also not find a place to park once you reach your favorite shop.”
