Buying a car? Show proof of parking first

Buying a car? Show proof of parking first

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 02.12.2020

In a bid to decongest roads in Bengaluru city, the state government is looking at allowing registration of vehicles only after owners produce a ‘commitment letter’ showing parking space is available.

After a meeting convened by chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday on formulating Parking Policy 2.0, the government said it is mulling curbs on purchase of vehicles without parking space. The CM directed chief secretary TM Vijayabhaskar to finetune the draft policy after consulting senior officials and place it before the cabinet for approval.

In 2019, the previous JD (S)-Congress government had mooted a similar proposal, but it failed to take off.

New policy proposes pay-and-park system in city’s major localities

BDA chairman and CM’s political secretary SR Vishwanath who attended the meeting said the new policy proposes to make it mandatory for new vehicle buyers to have their own parking space.

“Many households own more than one vehicle. Most of them are parked on roads. We plan to address this issue on priority,” said an official. The policy hopes to bring in a controlled, tech-based parking system. It proposes to introduce a payand-park system in all major localities. “We have smart parking fee collection facilities at 80-85 places. We want to extend such facilities to the entire city,” Vishwanath said.

It proposes to ban parking of vehicles in a 1km radius around existing multi-level parking facilities in Bengaluru. “Since most of these facilities have remained underutilised, the new rule will help address this issue. It will ease congestion on surrounding roads,” he said.

The government is also looking at utilising private open spaces and residential plots as parking spaces by involving BBMP to join hands with land owners. Vishwanath said the number of vehicle buyers in Bengaluru is more than in any other metropolitan city. “People may find these rules tough, but we have to do something to address this problem,” he added.

During the meeting, officers apprised the CM about the need for a Parking Policy 2.0 since the number of vehicles has almost doubled in the city in the past seven years. They said usage of public transport must be encouraged.

Responses about the policy have been received from individuals, NGOs and RWAs and based on this feedback, parking policy will be revised and submitted for government approval, officials said.