BENGALURU: Prior to presentation of the budget, when Bengalureans were asked what they would like to be addressed on priority, parking was the most common answer.
BBMP taxation and finance standing committee chairperson M K Gunashekar did provide something for motorists to cheer about in Saturday’s budget. Hi-tech parking facilities are to be taken up under a public-private partnership model. Old markets will be demolished to build multi-storeyed parking facilities and parking will not be allowed on pedestrian ways.
However, doubt remains on the effectiveness of some of the measures announced, especially considering the civic body’s poor track record in implementation of their promises.
The key highlights of the budget were the announcement of hi-tech parking facilities under a public-private partnership model and the option for private land owners to avail tax rebates by construction of public parking facilities.
Traffic expert M N Sreehari was, however, skeptical of BBMP’s ability to carry out the schemes and also their practicality. “These policies are bold in nature but they were announced earlier too.
These could have been taken up long ago. Trying to implement these while allowing roadside parking won’t work,” he said. He said underground parking systems could be constructed in areas which have many parks, such as Vijayanagar and Indiranagar.
He also questioned the move to offer private people a chance to build private parking. “Who will invest in this? Builders will spoil the whole show then.”