BENGALURU : With increasing traffic, few parking spaces and a strict crackdown on illegal parking by the traffic police, commercial establishments working to please their customers are resorting to other options. Now, they are utilising empty sites for parking by renting them out from the owners.Chetan Hegde, owner of 1522, a pub in New BEL Road, said, “Any space that is available for parking is welcome.
There is no space available from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) side, so we use private empty plots. This is so that our customers do not face any discomfort. They do not park their vehicles in front of someone's home or have their vehicle towed by cops if they leave it on the main roads. For two years, we have been using two empty plots on New BEL Road. One accommodates over 18 cars, and the other, over 80.”
He, and the owners of Nandhana Palace restaurant, rent out half an acre near their establishment to provide valet parking for their customers. Harish K, one such owner who gives out two empty sites for rent in this area, said, “New BEL Road, for instance, does not allow parking on the entire stretch. Sites like ours come in handy.
I give two of my empty sites for rent to customers of the pub and a salon. About 25 to 30 cars can fit here. A space provided by the government would be better, especially if there is multi-strorey parking and commercial establishments on top. BBMP or Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) can take up this initiative. Meanwhile, renting out our sites also helps us earn on the side.”
The Malleswaram Association also rents out a site nearby for their members. They have been doing so for 10 years, as their basement parking fits only two-wheelers. They pay the owners, who live abroad, making it a win-win situation for both parties.
“In Malleswaram, it is difficult to find parking. The area is crowded and people shopping, eating or coming to our club keep driving around looking for parking. They even park in front of people’s homes, blocking their gates and causing inconvenience to those living in the area. This is beneficial in commercial areas,” said Prabhu CT, manager of Malleswaram Association.
Twenty cars can comfortably fit in the site they have rented out. Prabhu believes that if the BBMP issues permits to these owners and authorizes usage of empty sites as a public utility, it will be beneficial to customers and owners alike. “No matter how big or small, if they legally offer a permit to private owners and create some laws, it will generate awareness among other property owners.
They too can adopt this idea and rent out empty sites. Taxation, such as GST, can help the government earn revenue too. Home owners won’t have to put up ‘no parking’ boards on their gates either,” Prabhu added.Areas that are both residential and commercial suffer when it comes to parking. Haphazard parking either blocks vehicle movement on main roads or affects residents in inner lanes, who find that they cannot take their own vehicles in or out.