Parking is becoming a major hassle at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Mangaluru, with at least 600 people visiting daily for passport services. Activist Suma Nayak experienced this first-hand when she arrived for her son’s passport renewal appointment at 9:30 am on Monday, only to find the parking area already full. “The building housing the PSK also accommodates a printing unit, a gym, and a hotel, adding to the parking issues,” Suma told TOI.
The watchman informed Suma that the parking lot was full and directed her to park on the adjacent road near TV Ramana Pai Convention Hall. By 11:30 am, she found about 10 vehicles, belonging to passport service visitors, locked by the police. There was no ‘no parking’ sign in the area. When Suma questioned the police officer, she was told to address the issue with the RTO and the passport office.
Suma also raised the issue with a passport official, suggesting a pay-and-park facility. “These are basic amenities that the administration must provide,” she said, planning to write to the deputy commissioner, RTO, PSK, and the building owner.
“On Monday, about 610 tokens were issued. Even if only 50% of the people come by car on a rainy day, where is the parking space?” Suma questioned. DCP (Crime and Traffic) BP Dinesh Kumar acknowledged Mangaluru’s parking issues, stating that action is taken when complaints are received.
An official from PSK Mangaluru mentioned that the premises provide parking for at least 25 vehicles, but issues arise when people arrive several hours ahead of their appointments. He suggested that if visitors arrive just in time for their appointments, the parking problem could be alleviated.
