BBMP to come up with fresh guidelines for malls in view of traffic jams

BENGALURU: Traffic issues are increasing near popular malls in the city and commuters are suffering due to traffic congestion. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now started inspection of malls before drafting guidelines to ease traffic, mainly in front of malls.

Bengaluru citizens visit shopping malls during weekends and the malls are jampacked with customers and visitors, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Most visitors come in their own cars, taxis or autorickshaws which causes traffic jams in front of the malls.

The traffic in front of many malls, including Orion Mall, Mantri Square Mall, Mall of Asia, and Ikea Shopping Centre is becoming difficult to manage. Due to the congestion, vehicles move slowly from Yeshwantpur flyover towards Sandal Soap Factory and on to Orion Mall.

The BBMP has said that it will come out with new guidelines which will several points. Palike Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, briefing about the BBMP plan, said, “We have to find out measures. The BBMP should set conditions before issuing licences to such malls. The malls should have pickup and dropoff points at a distance of 60 to 80 meters and parking should not be allowed in front of the malls”.

“A separate parking lot should be arranged for visitors and customers who visit malls in their own vehicles. The malls should also hire staff to avoid traffic jams. If there are vacant places marked by the BBMP which are being used for parking, they should be vacated; otherwise, disciplinary action will be taken”.

The chief commissioner said, “Henceforth, we will look into strict enforcement of rules while issuing trade licences. We will work on the pickup and dropoff points in front of malls to tackle traffic congestion.”