This side or that side?

Alternate-side parking has added to the confusion which already exists on the City’s roads.

It’s a daily struggle for Bangaloreans to find a parking space anywhere in the City. Earlier, drivers had a problem finding parking places on M G Road and Commercial Street, but now even in areas like Jayanagar, Indiranagar and Malleswaram parking spaces have become scarce because of rapid commercialisation.

Since these also happen to be residential areas, the number of no-parking signboards placed in front of the houses, make it even more difficult for vehicle owners to find a place to park. And to add to the chaos is the alternate-side parking that allows vehicle owners to park on only one side of the road on alternate dates.

Many vehicle owners in the City say that this system has only added to the already existing problems of parking. The alternate-side parking confuses the drivers. It only adds to the congestion on the roads. Swapna, who has seen these boards all over Commercial Street, says that this system has only added to the chaos on the road. “So many times I have actually wondered which side I have to park on. When I am looking for a parking space, the last thing on my mind is what date it is.

I really don’t see how it has helped because the confusion and congestion on Commercial Street persists,” she adds. Prateek, a student, says that such a system may work in places like Singapore but not in Bangalore. “Such unique parking systems have earlier been successful in Singapore but I don’t really see it happen out here. There are very few proper parking spaces and this system only makes it more difficult,” he adds.
Bharath, a professional, feels that this may work in commercial areas but not in residential areas.

“I really don’t see this system making much of a difference, especially because people resort to parking in no-parking zones. Creating more such lanes with alternate-side parking spaces will only add to the confusion because these are not  strictly manned by the cops,” he adds.

According to the Bangalore Traffic Police, the system has helped in reducing the congestion on some streets. But at the same time, it will not introduce more of alternate-side parking unless there is a request by the people.

M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic) says, “Only at the request of the local residents and the shopkeepers of the area do we put up the alternate-side parking boards. Many a times, we get complaints from residents and shopkeepers that cars are parked only in front of their place. Hence, we thought that this system will give some breathing space to everyone.”

But is it really a breather? “Not at all,” exclaims Sharanya, a resident of Jayanagar, “we have this system in our lane but it gets very difficult since there is no one to keep an eye on whether people are actually parking on the right side. At times, the police come and fine them but I don’t see it helping in any way.”