Hit by poor business, Freedom Park parking contractor wants to run commercial activities

Bengaluru: Within three months of the inauguration of the multi-level car park (MLCP) at Freedom Park, the contractor running the facility has approached Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seeking help to enhance his business.
Built at a cost of Rs 80 crore in 2022, the MLCP was inaugurated on June 21, 2024, after much delay and amid anticipation that parking problems in the heart of the city might end.

However, when the expected response didn’t materialise, the contractor initially wrote to BBMP in July seeking its assistance in ensuring stricter enforcement of no-parking rules on nearby roads. As the business refused to pick up even after traffic police, on the Palike’s advice, implemented no-parking rules on several nearby roads, the contractor has again written to BBMP seeking permission to run a hotel, a godown, or commercial activities in the basement of the car park.
The MLCP was designed to address parking issues in the central business district (CBD) area, including Gandhinagar and Chickpet. Princeroyal Parking Solution Business Pvt Ltd, which won the tender after five rounds, agreed to pay an annual rent of Rs 1.5 crore to BBMP for the first five years, with a 5% increment for the following five years.

Now, the contractor has informed BBMP the parking fee collection is only between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh a month, and it would be unable to pay the annual rent if the situation continues. So, it has sought permission to conduct commercial activities to enhance the income.
Confirming the contractor’s request, BBMP officials said they are aware of the dull business but can’t allow commercial activities in the MLCP. They said the urban development department will be contacted and alternative solutions, including reducing the annual rent, will be explored.

However, citizens are blaming BBMP for failing to draw the public to utilise its parking facilities. Trade activist Sajjan Raj Mehta told TOI people want parking facilities near the areas they visit, but the Freedom Park MLCP is too far from the shopping hubs of Chickpet and the neighbourhood. “Those parking at the MLCP need at least 15 minutes to reach Chickpet area on foot. Most people suffer from knee pain and other issues, especially women, and can’t walk such distances. They don’t prefer to park their vehicles in the MLCP,” he said.
Besides, shoppers also go back with their purchase, which could weigh anywhere between 5kg and 20kg. Expecting them to lug items for such a long distance or spend another Rs 100 on auto fare isn’t realistic, he said, adding that the civic body should consult stakeholders such as traders before establishing parking facilities.
The Freedom Park MLCP’s problem isn’t unique. The MLCP on JC Road too has been hit by poor business and, on the contractor’s request, BBMP had floated a tender to run a vehicle-servicing unit from one of its floors.