Palike plans drive to curb parking chaos near wedding halls

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will soon launch a drive across the City to keep tabs on heavy traffic jams in semi-residential and commercial areas, especially near wedding halls.

Further, closure orders and notices will be served to choultries that do not provide adequate parking space. 

In most areas, commuters are stuck in traffic jams for long durations because those attending weddings park their vehicles on the roadside, encroaching upon the road space, and to deal with the chaos, traffic police have to be deployed, especially on main roads. 

Also, in some areas like Nagarabhavi, JP Nagar and Horamavu, vehicles are parked on vacant sites. 

Over a year ago, BBMP officials conducted a drive on choultries in west and central areas, especially in and around Rajajinagar, and had served notices on around 300 choultries for not providing parking space. However, the drive fizzled out since the matter was not followed up.

Parking rules

As per rules, as these halls come under the category of commercial spaces, a fourth of the halls’ seating capacity should be made available for parking. 

“This rule has not been followed for a very long time and thus we have decided to conduct a drive across the City. Notices and closure orders will also be issued to those violating norms,” BBMP Commissioner N Lakshminarayana told Deccan Herald.Inconvenienced people pointed out that the areas where choultries are located should also be checked. 

“The rush and noise are very disturbing. Vehicles are parked on roadsides and vacant parking spaces, adding to the chaos. An appropriate solution should be worked out,” said Megha R, a resident of Jayanagar. 

Traffic chaos

“Many a time, a part of the main road is blocked because marriage halls are located on both sides of the road like in Rajajinagar and Vijayanagar,” said Pramukh K, a commuter on West of Chord Road, adding that the traffic police struggle to clear traffic and things get out of control when weddings of influential people are organised. 

“Drivers wait near the choultry instead of finding parking space. This blocks roads and commuters are the worst affected,” he rued.