A PERENNIAL PARKING PROBLEM

It seems parking problems in the city are not going to end any time soon. Haphazard parking in Second Block HRBR Layout is causing lot of inconvenience to the residents staying nearby. Despite the 'no parking' boards installed on the 5th Main road, people are found indiscriminately parking their vehicles.

Wrong and haphazard parking has become a big menace in the whole of HRBR Layout. One such area which has succumbed to the problem of improper parking is the 5th Main road which connects 80 feet road to Banaswadi Police Station. Even though the boards of no parking have been put, but still people come and park their vehicles creating trouble for the residents. The residents are demanding that it should be streamlined and rectified as soon as possible.

Restaurants flout parking norms
Few restaurants in the area have violated the prescribed parking norms. Customers visiting these eateries are parking their vehicles on the main road as building owners have failed to provide a parking space in the basement. BMTC buses which are plying through this relatively small road are adding to the problem. With either sides of the road parked with vehicles, buses have a tough time to take a sharp turn leaving motorists heading from the opposite side in danger. "Due to parking menace, I have lost control of my bike many times on this particular stretch", said Rajesh who takes this road on a daily basis.

No parking here!
 It is an irony that both sides of the road have 'no parking' boards and most of the vehicles are seen parking below the board! When Cityplus questioned one of the auto rickshaw drivers who had parked his vehicle below the board, he had a frightening reply. The Cityplus reporter stood there for more than an hour to do a reality check and found many people parking their vehicles at unauthorized spots. A man coming on a motorbike stopped near the 'no parking' board and joined a couple of other men for chatting. Meanwhile, a couple of buses were caught in the traffic!

What police say?
 When Cityplus called up the Banaswadi Police Station, they did not respond properly. Most of the officers refused to answer saying that inspector has to comment on the issue. Whereas, some of the sources from the police station opined that they had warned the eateries not to park vehicles on the road but often they breached the warning.  On the other hand, inspector of the station was not available for the comments as he was said to be on a training session.

Commuters take on parking problem
"I think this eatery has bribed the police or else how can they breach law", said one of the commuters. Sarath (name changed) opines that evenings are in total chaos as many people visit the area to eat at the restaurants. When Cityplus asked one of the bus drivers, he too had a same story to narrate. "I have to be very careful while taking the turn here on the road as vehicles parked on the road are creating problem for us to commuter. And also freaky mishaps may happen soon". Moreover, one of the residents points out that the white line drawn on road for parking vehicles has exceeded and there is a very less space left for the vehicles ply the road.

What law says?
According to the BBMP rules the commercial establishments including shopping malls and restaurants should get a space in the basement for the purpose of parking that connects the building with a proper entrance and exit. Though these buildings have NOC from the BBMP, there seems to be no facility for parking.  Under Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2005-15, the 75 sq m of the floor area should be provided for parking space at the eateries and food joints. The parking spaces should have been checked by the BBMP before giving the trade licenses to such establishments. The savories and the delicacies offered by these food joints are of no use if enjoyed at the cost of other's happiness.

--Faris Arakkal