Multi-level parking proposal: Bengaluru’s Metro commuters & residents call for better planning

Bengaluru: Facing mounting pressure from inadequate parking and limited land availability, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to introduce multi-level parking facilities at nine existing Metro stations across the city.Senior BMRCL officials said the move is aimed at significantly increasing parking capacity at key stations where demand has outstripped supply by looking at vertical solutions instead of expanding horizontally. "Acquiring land for parking near new stations has become increasingly challenging. We are therefore focusing on optimising existing spaces by building multi-level parking structures," a senior official said.Currently, of the 83 Metro stations across three operational lines, 69 stations are equipped with around 80 parking lots. However, many of these are operating beyond capacity, forcing commuters to park vehicles on surrounding roads.In fact, residents near Rajajinagar Metro station recently urged Bengaluru West City Corporation officials to resolve the issue of irresponsible parking near the station. Around the West of Chord Road area, roads between the Metro station and Balavana Children's Park (Line Park) are choked with two-wheelers parked on either side of the road. Cars and some heavy vehicles can also be seen parked around the park's compound. The authorities' attempts to control the menace by erecting ‘No Parking' signboards, with warnings of a Rs 1,000 fine upon violation, clearly failed to deter motorists from parking.Nawin Iyer, a resident of Rajajinagar, said irresponsible parking made it difficult for residents to access their own homes. "There were instances where ambulances were unable to reach houses facing medical emergencies. Sometimes, even in the case of a death, families struggle to get hearse vans in front of their homes," he said. Iyer added that residents can manage to move one or two vehicles, but are helpless if there are rows of vehicles parked."Many relatives who visit our homes have to park their vehicles hundreds of metres away and walk to our house. Sometimes, we are unable to park our own vehicles or take them out as vehicles are blocking our driveway," he said.Usha Sreekanthan, 82, makes it a point to use the Metro as much as she can, especially to visit friends and relatives in other parts of the city. The resident of Banashankari 3rd stage takes the Metro from the Mysore Road station. She emphasised that a large portion of Metro commuters are office-goers who won't find time to wait for buses, and hence, take their vehicle to the station. "When stations are planned, the authorities must think who are the commuters using the service – in this case, it is the office-going crowd," she said.Recollecting her recent visits to the US, she said the Subway stations in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and other cities have ample parking space, enabling even CEOs to use mass public transportation.Bengaluru Metro Commuters' Association member Rajesh Bhat said BMRCL officials must have foresight and prioritise parking spaces when planning stations so that more commuters are encouraged to use the Metro. "Regular commuters can be given a pass that includes both Metro fare and parking charges," he suggested, noting the recent hike in Metro rail fares.