BENGALURU: The state government’s decision to turn Brigade Road and Commercial Street into pedestrianonly zones has not gone down well with traders and residents in the area. Fearing losses in business, they have decided to petition chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and deputy CM G Parameshwara, asking them to first build multi-level parking complexes in the vicinity.They said there is no public parking complex around Commercial Street or Brigade Road and finding a parking space is a headache for shoppers.In fact, the move to convert some shopping zones into pedestrian-only streets gained momentum during the tenure of Siddaramaiah when it was suggested that vehicle movement should be banned on Church Street which was remodelled at Rs 15 crore.BBMP officials were directed to take the traders and residents into confidence before taking a decision. Even as the issue evaded clarity, chief minister Kumaraswamy on Friday announced the plan to make Brigade Road and Commercial Street walker-only zones.Mohammed Nazim, vicepresident of Bangalore Commercial Association and owner of a 100-year-old shop, said: “Commercial Street bustles with activity as people have the option to get off from their cars in front of the shops they want to visit. But if vehicles are not allowed here, a shopper has to waste time searching for a parking slot. We fear Commercial Street will go the Church Street way in terms of losing business if parking is banned. Church Street, despite housing several eateries, is struggling to get more footfall as public parking is not allowed. The proposal is not feasible and we’ll stage demonstrations if the government goes ahead with it.”He pointed out nearly 80% people come by car to Commercial Street. “If they don’t get parking, they will prefer going to malls. If vehicles are not allowed, then the government will lose GST and various taxes. It’s a total loss for the government,” he added.Suhail Yusuf, who represents the Brigade Road Establishment Association, said: “The three roads are the commercial areas with shopping outlets which also create revenue for the government by way of taxes. Making them pedestrian-only will affect business.”Meanwhile, residents have a different suggestion. John KP, who owns a house on Church Street, said: “The government should think of issuing passes to local residents. Vehicle movement should be banned during weekends.”

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