Bengaluru: Shoppers street turns traffic hell on Nandidurga Road

Bengaluru: The 1st Main of Nandidurga Road may be pothole-free, but lack of parking space is leading to traffic gridlocks. People visiting eateries, supermarkets and pharmacies park their vehicles on the road, leaving little room for traffic to move. Police fine errant motorists, but have done nothing to create a designated parking space.

For those residing on the 1st main road of Nandidurga Road, near the Nandidurga Junction, the problem is not of bad roads but of narrowness and poor planning, which slows down traffic and even causes gridlocks.

Jagadeesh, a shop owner, said, “We don't have any proper parking space. Customers frequent hotels and supermarkets here and park their cars/bikes on the road side. The traffic police informed people to park only on one side, but did not specify whether it is right or left.” They haven't installed a ‘no parking’ sign either, he added.

The parked cars and bikes occupy the sides of the road, thereby leaving reduced space to drive on. Muneer, another business owner said, “The road has less space. Though there is not much traffic on this road, there is a jam at the junction. Customers who come here, often end up paying parking fines.”

Since the 1st main road is a smaller lane, a lot of people take a diversion from the Nandidurga main road and go through this. The traffic escalates during peak hours, and there is a girdlock at the junction.

Before building a road, the government is expected to plan space for footpath, parking and also take into account whether it is a commercial or residential area.

Waseem, a staff at a local eatery, said, “Weekends here are easy but Monday to Friday, cars are parked right next to each other on the road sides. There is no space for you to even walk between them. Two wheelers park on the pavement also.” When queried where do pedestrians walk, Waseem nonchalantly remarked, “The road of course”.

Waseem's co-worker said he was fined Rs 750 by the police for parking his two-wheeler opposite the eatery. They had discussed the issue of parking with the circle inspector, but it did not result in any solution. Hence their customers come in, take parcel food and scoot.

Residents living in many of the independent homes have parking inside, but some of them park on the road. However, it is the commercial spaces that face police action.

Leela, a resident, said road blocks on Nandidurga Road are immediately cleared by present traffic police. They come every day to clear the parked vehicles. Wouldn't it be easier to have a designated parking lane?, she added.

‘Cops must mark designated parking space’
Interview with  Gunashekar, Corporator, Jayamahal Ward

Why is there a parking issue in this area?
Many hotels and supermarkets have come up in the area and people come here and park. The area is residential, but commercial joints have received exemptions for business.

Why is there no designated parking space?
This is the job of the traffic police. They should have done this by now for Nandidurga Main road, Jayamahal road and 1st main road. More shops are coming up, a mall is here. When I spoke to the police, there were some staff transfers going on and they said they would look into it later. It is their duty.

Is it possible to have parking spaces or lanes?
The traffic police first needs to perform the feasibility study. They have their own guidelines on which they decide parking space or lane. We can't say if this is feasible or not.

What can be done now?
I will speak to the local circle Inspector and remind them about the issue. I will tell them to enforce lane discipline, decide and designate parking for residents as well as commercial joints.