New law on the cards to ban basement parking in low-lying areas in Bengaluru

The Deputy Chief Minister says 27,665 footpath vendors, who were identified through a recent survey, will be given push carts.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, on Saturday said the State government has decided to frame a new law to ban basement parking of buildings/apartments located in low-lying areas of Bengaluru City.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with city MLAs and senior officials, he said, “We are coming up with a new law to ban basement parking in low-lying areas in Bengaluru City which causes flooding during the monsoon. “

He said compensation of ₹10,000 will be given to each household affected by flooding caused due to torrential rains in several parts of the city. It was decided to give compensation of ₹5 lakh for a rain related death.

He said the Greater Bengaluru Authority came into existence on May 15, and a decision on forming a number of corporations in the city would be taken after consultation with Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok and others. The division of BBMP would be completed by September 15, and the Greater Bengaluru Authority would be formed after that, he added.

Location for sky deck

The proposed 250-metre-high sky deck would be built at Kempegowda Layout in the city, announced Mr. Shivakumar. Since it should be located 20 km away from the BIAL, it was decided to develop on the BDA land at the Kempegowda Layout, he said.  The initial plan was to build it in Hemmigepura.

Action on roadside parking

Soon, Bengaluru police would commence towing of vehicles that are parked for long or abandoned by the roadside. “We have received a lot of complaints about old vehicles being abandoned and parked on roadsides, we have instructed the police to create a dumping yard for such vehicles in 100 acre land. Any vehicle which is parked on the road for more than 21 days can be considered abandoned vehicle and they can be auctioned,” Mr. Shivakumar warned.

Plans on evicting footpath vendors

Mr. Shivakumar announced that a survey had identified 27,665 footpath vendors, who will now be given push carts. “Initially, 3,775 vendors would be given push-carts or four-wheelers, which they should take home after the day’s business in designated areas,” he said.

He said that while some vendors were trying to put pressure through MLAs, eviction would be carried out as per the provisions of law. “We will carry out the eviction in phases, even if we are not able to do it all at once,” he said