Parking policy yet to be implemented

BANGALORE: A draft parking policy for Bangalore which was drafted by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) in 2008 is yet to be implemented in the city. The policy aims to decrease the number of vehicles on the road in a city which had a vehicle population of about 3.125 million for a population of 7 million in 2008. The policy will be considering ideas like variable parking prices for peak and off peak hours based on vehicle type and size. It also suggests making certain roads in Bangalore parking free in order to avoid congestion as well as making it compulsory to indicate availability of parking space in order to get approval for purchase of a new vehicle. “Anyone who wants to purchase a new vehicle will have to indicate that they have sufficient parking space, either their own property or through a letter of consent from the landowner in case of leased accommodation,” said M K Shankaralinge Gowda, Transport Secretary. The policy, however, has been put before a empowered committee of the government and is awaiting input from various stakeholders before it can be implemented.The policy report lists the BBMP, Traffic Police, BMTC, BDA and other civic bodies in Bangalore as stakeholders. The major responsibility, however, has been placed on the BBMP which according to the policy statement will be in charge of carrying out necessary studies for a consistent framework including area level planning and development proposals.The BBMP is also expected to fix parking prices and involve private participation along with coordination with other civic bodies like the police and the Fire Department. Even though some of the recommendations are being put into practice by the BBMP, their opinions are yet to be filed before the committee. Sources in the DULT said that the BBMP is yet to respond to the policy statement.With the vehicle to person ratio being less than 1:3, it is time the city authorities put projects like the parking policy on the fast track to implementation.