Bengaluru: Vehicle owners divided over smart-parking system

BENGALURU: The smartparking facility which became operational on Saturday has evoked mixed reactions from motorists. While some say the fee is high, others feel regulating parking on roads is the need of the hour.
The facility was inaugurated on Cunningham Road in the presence of civic administrator Gaurav Gupta, BBMP commissioner Manjunatha Prasad and MLA Rizwan Arshad Khan, among others.

Rupesh Sinha, a food-delivery agent, said: “The smart-parking facility is helpful, but not for us. We pay Rs 20 per day at other places, but under this system we’ll end up shelling out Rs 30 for two hours, which is not affordable,” Sinha said.
Pradeep Kumar, another food-delivery boy, said often they have to park their two-wheelers as they may be expecting an order. During such times, using the smart-parking zones will be expensive, he added.
On the other hand, a few motorists are glad the system is in place. “Now, bikes will be parked in designated spots and no one can tamper with them,” said Kamal Deep, who’s employed with a marketing company on Cunningham Road.
Car owners are happy they don’t have to go around in circles before finding a parking spot. “I often find it difficult to get parking on MG Road as it’s always occupied. Also, there’s no surety when a vehicle owner/driver will move. With this, there is some assurance,” said Remica D’Costa, a resident of Cooke Town. “It will also benefit my parents, especially my father who loves to visit MG Road and Church Street for walks.”
Siddharth Purohit, a store owner on MG Road, said the organised system will ensure there are fewer violations. While Central Parking System (CPS), contractor for the smart-parking system, has been granted permission to clamp a vehicle if the driver fails to pay penalty, only traffic police can tow a car/bike in case it’s parked wrongly.