Lack of parking space in Mysore is a cause for concern

The number of vehicles in Mysore has almost touched 6.85 lakh as per statistics available with the Police Department. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Even though parking woes are worsening with the increase in vehicle population here, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has done little to solve the problem.

Major commercial hubs are facing serious parking problems as the existing space is lessening owing to the number of vehicles.

Even though around 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles are added to the roads every year, the authorities are yet to give serious thought towards improving parking facilities and creating additional spaces.

Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem told The Hindu that the number of vehicles in Mysore has almost touched 6.85 lakh as per the latest statistics available with the department.

Preparedness

Parking problems are bound to happen with the high density of vehicles. As a result, the MCC must take up projects on a priority basis to prepare the city for the future, he argued.

Mr. Saleem said the multi-level parking lots have been proposed opposite Mysore zoo. Another one is coming up at Town Hall. Such projects need to be completed on priority.

“I heard shoppers were unable to get parking space on Devaraja Urs Road with shopkeepers parking their vehicles, mostly cars, on the road before the shoppers arrive,” he said.

Pay-and-park facilities

Mr. Saleem, who has introduced many projects here to rationalise traffic management, felt that ‘pay-and-park’ can address parking woes to some extent in localities like Devaraj Urs Road. “But, the MCC should not delay key decisions such as introducing a pay and park system here,” he suggested.

As per the Comprehensive Parking Policy under the Town Planning norms, a city like Mysore, which is witnessing a boom in vehicle density, needs an effective parking management system, he said.

On the measures suggested by the police for easing parking woes, Mr. Saleem said, “We have identified the spots for multi-level parking lots and highlighted the need for such facilities to the MCC. I also discussed the issue of pay and park with the Commissioner of MCC recently. The decision rests with the MCC as we are the enforcement authority.”