Metro parking lots a haven for bike lifters

The lack of security personnel and CCTV cameras at metro station parking lots at night are leaving the parked bikes unattended, making it easy for vehicle lifters to steal them.

Police officials said that they have requested the Metro Rail authorities to install CCTV cameras so that a proper vigil can be held as the security guard leaves around 10-10.30 pm as soon as the last scheduled metro leaves the station.

According to the police, people park their vehicles and leave to work, leaving it there overnight, which makes it vulnerable to the vehicle lifters.

“All people who travel to other parts of the city park their bikes here overnight and face security issues as there are no security guards present at that hour of the night. As it is not a paid parking, even non-commuters use the place to leave their vehicles,” said a police official from Nagole, where three cases of bikes being stolen from the parking lot were reported.

When asked, N.V.S. Reddy, M.D. Metro Rail, said that if a noncommuter leaves his vehicle at the parking spot provided for passengers, he is misusing the place and it is not our responsibility if the bike gets stolen.

“Misusing of free parking given to the commuters is not our responsibility. The place was exclusively made for passengers only. However, we will be implementing smart parking facility in a month or so, which will include geo tagging and CCTV camera facilities,” he said.

A total of five bikes were stolen in the Uppal — Nagole stretch.