Same is the case on the ring roads, every few meters you see a no parking or a speed limit sign board - these are the new B-TRAC signages and they are there over and above the previously installed signages. 

Also small junction in the interiors are being fitted with traffic lights. More often they are not they are not used after a few days.

The worst thing is there is no one to enforce these traffic rules - probably they have great faith in the "morally right" Indians and expect us to follow these instructions!!! 

They would have had better results had they hired a few more police personal than spend lavishly on these signages.

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Hi

Yeah, one of the things that really bothers me is that they put up these signs and think the job is done - appealing, as you say, to the better moral sense of the Bangalore public. Unfortunately, such a thing does not exist. They could make a lot of money just by enforcing parking violations.  And quite often the No Parking signs are made with no though.

For example, on the street where I live - on one side there are very few gates and entries. On the other, there are several. A few months ago they put up some No parking signs on the side where there are no gates. As a result, the `moral' people, who dont want to illegally park, end up blocking exits of houses. Fortunaltely, there are also several immoral people who park on the No parking side anyway. But it also has the added side effect of people putting stones on the sides of their walls to `reserve' parking spots.

Here lack of enforcement is almost a good thing, but further down, when the street narrows and becomes more crowded, its really annoying that people seem to think it does not matter where they park. So near Sampige Road and 15th cross Malleswaram,  where 15th cross is rather narrow - there is a often a jam caused by too many illegally parked cars.

The other day some idiot was driving the wrong way down 7th Cross, which is another crucial one way street in Malleswaram. When I confronted him and blocked him, he got very beligerent and angry. This is what really bothers me - people dont even think that they have done anything wrong and when pointed out, instead of getting apologetic, get angry and threatening. Its all because they know that a person like me is powerless as the police are completely indifferent to it - `Next time maad baydi'

I think the police should allow people to mail in photos of violations and take action on them. Nowadays, most people have cell phone cameras and if one can take a picture of a violation - like an illegally parked car - with the licence plate fully visible, the police should take some action. The BBMP could collect enough money to build the Bangalore of their dreams, even after pocketing most of it. A few minutes walk anywhere in Bangalore would convince you that this is a gold mine waiting to be tapped.

Ramesh

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Ramesh /Rithesh,

Your observations are so correct. No matter how many signages are put up or dust bins provided, the common man is so indifferent & cares two hoots. Civic sense is extremely poor, if not non-existent in most cases.

The only way out is to try much stricter enforcement on a different tack - involve the private sector - hand out contracts to interested parties for various main streets & increase fines substantially, with a percentage of the collection going to the private company. This way, enforcement will improve for sure, though this will also attract a certain amount of corruption as the street marshals posted will look for opportunities to make some money on the side.

However, motorists will dread breaking rules more than now due to increased scrutiny & since the no. of marshalls on the lookout for violations will increase. This will be further boosted if fine amounts are substantially increased.

The tow-away wagons with investments from private parties have been successful to some extent in curbing the menace of illegal & haphazard parking on some of the important streets, at least. Parking on main streets was also being tendered to private parties earlier.

Likewise, a scheme for monitoring violations on streets involving the private sector can be tested to see if it can bring about some orderliness.

As regards lights & signages - clearly there is duplication & avoidable wastefulness. There is no point in providing a lot of signage with no enforcement. Enforcement alone without signage is also pointless & will not yield results. I wonder when the police think tanks will come out of their shells & come up with innovative methods to change the thinking & mentality of the public.

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