The entry and parking of private vehicles are likely to be banned soon in the Karnataka High Court premises.
With a proposal to construct an underground parking lot still gathering dust, the High Court - with assistance from the traffic police - has decided to put an end to the parking mess inside its premises.

As part of this short-term plan, vehicles of only those who have work in the court will be allowed. However, vehicles of the HC staff, judges, advocates and litigants will be allowed.

This initiative will soon be implemented for a month on an experimental basis, sources said.
“Except for vehicles of judges, advocates, court staff, advocates’ clerks, litigants and government officers, no vehicles will be allowed inside. If the experiment is found successful, it may be made a permanent feature,” they say.
Arrangements will be made for organised parking of vehicles. Parking zones will be demarcated for judges’ cars as well as for vehicles of staff and advocates. There will also be separate zones for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, officials said.

Congestion
Without a proper system to restrict and regulate entry and parking of vehicles, vehicles are now parked haphazardly making the HC premises a congested place.

According to a recent survey conducted by traffic police, between 9 am and noon, the HC premises sees an inflow of 2,060 vehicles everyday through the four gates. This includes 840 four-wheelers (including that of judges), and 1,220 two-wheelers belonging to advocates, court staff, litigants, government officers attending courts and others. Efforts were made to prevent entry and parking of private vehicles inside, but were of little use. Sources said the traffic police will provide technical assistance in implementing the he new plan. The rest of the job will be done by the HC security staff, who will be trained for the purpose. Meanwhile, the proposal to construct an underground parking for the HC has not moved forward.

The underground parking lot was mooted as a permanent solution for the parking woes there. The plan envisaged a multi-level parking facility in the front and rear portions of HC building. But the State Public Works Department has yet to clear the proposal.

The proposal has evoked mixed response, with a section of advocates and some environmental groups opposing it. They fear the parking lot would harm the aesthetics of HC. Besides, any move to construct a concrete structure needs to pass through several legal barriers as it is located inside the Cubbon Park.