The Karnataka government is contemplating the establishment of a dedicated agency to oversee parking regulations in Bengaluru, as traffic congestion continues to worsen in the city. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda highlighted that nearly 60 per cent of road space is taken up by parked vehicles. In discussions with former Mayors at Vidhana Soudha on Monday, he emphasised that simply expanding the road network would not be sufficient to alleviate the traffic issues.

Gowda noted the necessity for stricter enforcement of parking rules and a more efficient use of the existing road space. He raised concerns about public discipline, stating that without it, finding a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic challenges will remain difficult. He illustrated how parked cars lining even narrow roads significantly reduce the space available for moving traffic.

The minister pointed out that the civic administration and police lack the manpower needed to enforce parking regulations across Bengaluru, compounding the ongoing traffic problems.

Proposals for Improved Traffic Management

Gowda suggested that systematic enforcement of parking rules could lead to improved traffic movement and less daily inconvenience for commuters. He also advocated for the use of micromobility options for short journeys of up to two kilometres but acknowledged the need for better footpaths and effective parking regulations to make this feasible.

Additionally, he mentioned ongoing efforts to clear and restore footpaths, emphasising that micromobility will falter without appropriate parking controls in place. This focus on sustainable transport options ties into the necessity for strict enforcement of existing civic regulations, which Gowda believes is crucial for addressing long-standing traffic and infrastructure issues.

Gowda noted an alarming disregard for civic and building regulations, citing frequent unauthorized changes to sewer lines and insufficient parking in residential buildings. He questioned how long such violations could continue to be tolerated by authorities.

Diving into waste management, the minister announced that registration and GPS tracking of vehicles handling construction and demolition (C&D) waste have become mandatory. He detailed that these vehicles must transport waste to designated facilities, with five locations established for disposal. This initiative is aimed at combating the illegal dumping of construction debris across the city.

During the meeting, former Mayors presented various recommendations to improve Bengaluru’s infrastructure and civic administration. They proposed the implementation of scientific and durable methods for pothole repairs, the enhancement of garbage management, and an acceleration of the Rs 2,000-crore stormwater drain development project.

Furthermore, the former Mayors advocated for attention to buffer and traffic-bearing roads to relieve congestion. Suggestions included better maintenance of cremation and burial grounds, public toilets, and streetlights, as well as regular inspections of flyovers and maintenance of older structures. They recommended establishing a dedicated asphalt plant for the civic body to reduce reliance on private contractors for road repairs.

Recommendations also addressed the need for stringent actions against roadside waste dumping, a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics, and improved operation of sewage treatment plants by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Enhanced coordination between government departments to prevent unauthorised road cutting was another key point highlighted during the discussions.

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