Citizens give thumbs up

The civic body’s initiative to reserve parking slots for women motorists, inaugurated on Brigade Road almost a month ago, has received thumbs up from citizens.

“Earlier, it used be very difficult to find parking on Brigade Road. Sometimes, I would be forced to park at the end of the road and walk back all the way,” said Bhavana M., who visits Brigade Road frequently.

Prominent signage next to the reserved zone has ensured that men don’t park in the bays.

“We have put up multiple signboards to ensure no one else parks in the reserved slots,” said Suhail Yusuf, president of Brigade’s Shops and Establishments Association (BSEA), which introduced the initiative along with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.

Stating that he has been taking feedback from women drivers, Mr. Yusuf said it has been positive.

“During weekends, when footfall on Brigade Road is higher, the reserved parking slots get filled up. We are planning to increase the number of parking bays for women at least on Saturdays and Sundays. This will be a temporary arrangement just for weekends,” he said.

The presence of a security guard for most part of the day near the automatic parking ticket vending machine has also helped. “If I see a man parking in the reserved bay, I ask him to remove the vehicle. On most days, of the 10 parking slots reserved for women, one or two are always empty,” said M.D. Shabuddin, the guard who works from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kavya Natrajan, a regular to Commercial Street, said she would like the reserved parking to be extended to two-wheelers as well.

“On weekends, it is difficult to find parking. Reserved parking for women would definitely be useful, provided it is managed well,” she said.