Police will soon lock vehicles found in ‘no-parking zone’

The Hindu

• This system has been in practice in Bangalore for a year

 

• It has been tried in Central Market area
• Car Street witnesses frequent traffic jams

 
Mangalore, 10 February 2011: Motorists parking their vehicles in “no-parking” areas will to wait for a long time to get their vehicles moving even after paying the fine in city.

 

WHO CARES FOR RULES? Vehicles parked in a haphazard manner on Car Street in Mangalore.

 

The Mangalore City police will shortly start using new locks for vehicles parked in the no-parking zones. Instead of towing away the vehicles, the police will put these locks on a wheel.

 

The motorist has to pay the fine at the place mentioned on the lock and get the policeman to the place of unauthorised parking to have it unlocked.

 

Such locks are used by the Bangalore Traffic police.

 

The Mangalore police are procuring about 50 locks from the funds earmarked for providing infrastructure to the newly formed Commissionerate.

 

“The locks we are procuring are similar to those used in Bangalore. A different company is supplying it to us,” said Commissioner of Police Seemant Kumar Singh.

 

Mr. Singh told The Hindu the idea of using the locks was conceived to address some of the problems faced in enforcement of no-parking rule. The “Tigers” were finding it difficult to enter narrow lanes.

 

The traffic police also receiving complaints about damage to vehicles while towing. “Use of locks will address these problems,” he said. These locks are slated to come in March.

 

Mr. Singh said some of the locks were used on a trial basis in the Central Market area to acquaint traffic policemen with the new device.

 

Haphazard parking of vehicles in the Central Market area and on Car Street had been a perennial problem.

 

Widening of the road has not helped matters on the Car |Street. Motorists were left with little space to drive as vehicles were parked on both sides of the widened road.

 

Mr. Singh said the police had taken note of the problem and were considering restricting parking to one side of the road.

 

“I have asked the local inspector to study the feasibility of having one side parking on alternate days.”

 

This would help traders on either sides of the road. White dotted lines would be put to earmark space on either side of the road, Mr. Singh said.