The traffic chaos on Residency Road, caused by vehicles lining up to pick up and drop children, has prompted citizens’ groups to pitch potential solutions to schools.

“One solution is deployment of BMTC buses and another is using school space for parking,” said Nithya Reddy from Richmond Town.

Langford Gardens Residents’ Association, Living Lavelle Road, Vittal Mallya Road Improvement Group, Association of Residents of Convent Road, Hayes and
D’Souza Road Association are among those who have approached schools in the area with suggestions.

The associations also met the traffic police top brass and intimated it about school vans being parked on roads and causing congestion.

They also complained about incessant honking and the need to protect schoolchildren from serious risks.

Sunita Kumar from Beautify Lavelle Road Resident Welfare Association said, “Parents double-park on the road even though parking is restricted. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road as the footpaths are taken up.”

Similarly, Maria Mammen, a member of Vittal Mallya Road Improvement Group, pointed out that the Cubbon Park traffic police have told citizens in no uncertain terms that they will allow all vehicles (private vans, cars, autos) to double-park on the ‘No
Parking’ side of Vittal Mallya Road, a clear violation of traffic rules.

Traffic police said all the above violations had come to their notice and claimed they had started slapping fines against those guilty of double-parking.

The inspector from Ashoknagar police station said, “From the beginning of January, we have registered around 50 cases against vehicle owners, including parents of schoolchildren. We are slapping a fine of Rs 1,100 for double-parking, irrespective of the owner’s status.”

School managements are yet to respond to the suggestions, the associations maintained.

A costly affair: parents
One of the reasons parents opt for private school vans is the “exorbitant” fees charged by school bus operators.

Meenakshi R, a resident of Richmond Road, said they charge about Rs 20,000 a year. “The private vans are much cheaper at Rs 10,000. If school managements reduce the transportation fee, we are ready to send our children by bus.”

Another parent said school buses were much safer as a guard and a teacher are in the vehicle. “School buses go inside the campus unlike private vehicles. If the fee is reduced, many parents will opt for school buses,” he added.