No bidder for tender, pay & park policy of BBMP yet to be implemented Public opinion on it is divided

By Arsha. B.S.

Thepay and park initiative of BBMP remains unimplemented as there is still no bidder for the tender yet.

Jayasimha H.N., executive engineer of the traffic engineering section of BBMP, informed The Observer: “We’re going to call for the tender again with certain modifications. We’re going to reduce the tender amount next time. All the main roads of Bengaluru will have paid parking. It will take some time, but it will definitely happen.”

According to a Bangalore Mirror report: “Almost all places including commercial areas and residential zones will be covered under the pay and park system, while the policy has also laid down guidelines on roads where parking should be completly banned by the BBMP”

The pay and park policy was announced by the BBMP to con- trol burgeoning traffic in the city.

BBMP has not yet declared any date in which the policy will be implemented. The policy aims to encourage the use of public transport by the citizens.

Muninanjappa, a motorist, said: “A pay and park system will help clear traffic.People will stop parking randomly, blocking others’ way. I don’t mind paying to park. It is a good initiative. They need to implement it as soon as possible.”

The initiative has invited mixed reactions from people.

S. Sairam, another motorist, said he is not ready to pay for parking on public roads. “Roads are public property. We should not be asked to pay to park on these roads. It is unfair. I think that is the reason why it could not be implemented yet. I don’t think it could be so easily done or be successful,” he said.

Vikram Singh, a citizen, said: “Pay and park is necessary in this city. It should be implemented soon to bring some discipline in the way people park. But I don’t think it is needed in residential zones. In other areas it should be implemented.”

According to the information provided on the Directorate of Urban Land Transport’s website, the fee to park differs from area to area. This policy requires residents to obtain a permit by paying an annual fee to park even in front of their houses in residential zones. The parking permit allows the residents to park their vehicle only if there is space available. It doesn’t necessarily reserve a space for the permit holder.

The policy was first prepared in 2012 and it was revised and approved by the Karnataka government in February 2021. arsha.s@iijnm.org