The pay-to-use parking lot at the Swami Vivekananda Metro (Ulsoor), managed by Central Parking Services, presents a pathetic picture, even a year and a half after it was built.

The promises, made by both the contractor and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) six months ago to make the parking lot usable, have remained just that.
The BMRCL authorities promise they will invite tenders for allotting parking lots to the contractors on the station wherever land is available. But even after many months, the two entry points – one on Old Madras Road and another on the 80 Feet Road, Indiranagar – remain largely unguarded with just one single attendant at the entry point of the station.

With the road yet to be metalled, vehicle owners who wish to park there before boarding the Metro are forced to drive on stones laid months ago. The rest of the parking lot has overgrown grass, making it difficult for the users at night.

As per the terms of contract awarded by the BMRCL to the CPS, the licensee should demarcate the area, fix automatic lifting barriers and instal ticket counters to issue computerised parking tickets indicating time, date and amount. The contractor should fix boards, displaying parking fees prominently at the entry and exit points of the parking lot.

The Vivekananda station does not even have the automated lifting barrier, a facility available at the Baiyyappanahalli station. The board displaying the parking fees is also missing.

BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the parking contractor would be summoned to sort out the issue. “If, as per the agreement, the road has to be built by the contractor, he will have to do it. Or else, we will get it done,” he said.

Some regular users even alleged that they had witnessed “illegal” activities going on in the parking lot when the security guard was not around.

Dorjee, a resident of C V Raman Nagar who regularly uses the parking lot, said that even after more than a year, the situation had not changed. “I park my vehicle every day here because I do not want to drive in the traffic all the way to my office on MG Road,” he said. “But even after more than a year, the situation has not changed. At times, when I return around 9.30 pm, the lone parking attendant is also missing. Who will be responsible for any damage to vehicle then,” he asked.