MLA backs protest against proposal for parking facility

Mysuru: Chamaraja MLA K Harishgowda supported the protest held by residents of Devaraja Mohalla against the pay-and-park facility proposed by Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) on D Devaraj Urs Road on Sunday. He said it will be an inconvenience for motorists.
Harishgowda said that he was not in favour of the proposal and added that the implementation of the pay-and-park facility would cause problems for the residents of Mysuru. “Pay-and-park facilities should be implemented at tourist locations where people come and spend time. The introduction of similar facilities in central business areas would only trouble the local residents who come there for business,” he added.
His comments come on a day when the protestors led by former corporator D Nagabhushan, shouted slogans against the MCC, alleging that the proposal to introduce the pay-and-park facility was unscientific and would be a burden on the residents. They also alleged that the MCC had announced the decision in haste, without bringing the matter to the notice of the Chamaraja MLA.
“The MCC’s decision would only help one section of the society (shopowners) and not the public. Moreover, the public will start parking their vehicles on the roads adjacent to D Devaraj Urs Road to avoid parking fees, which will cause problems for residents of Devaraja Mohalla,” the protesters said. “Instead of taking up people-friendly projects, the MCC has announced the implementation of the pay-and-park facility which will burn our pockets,” said Nagabhushan.
The residents also requested the MLA to intervene and ask the civic body to drop the proposal. It has been almost a decade since the MCC council decided to construct a multi-level parking lot near D Devaraj Urs road. However, the project has not been implemented.
The MCC during the council meeting held on Friday, approved a proposal to implement pay-and-park facilities on a pilot project basis at D Devaraj Urs Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, Ashoka Road, and Town Hall premises.