What is pink parking? This Bengaluru mall just showed how it works
What was meant to be just another mall run in Bengaluru turned into a surprisingly wholesome moment—and the internet couldn’t stop talking about it.Akshay Raina was navigating a mall’s basement parking, the kind where finding a spot feels like winning a small battle, when something caught his eye. Right there, clearly marked and hard to miss, was a parking bay reserved specifically for expectant mothers. No vague icons. No fine print. Just a soft pink space and a sign that read, plainly, “Reserved for mothers-to-be.”He recorded a short video and shared it on Instagram. That was it. No dramatic commentary, no long rant. And yet, the clip struck a chord.In a sea of grey concrete and tightly packed cars, the space stood out instantly. Clean. Thoughtful. Easy to locate. And more importantly, considerate. Raina called it a “very nice concept” and praised the mall for thinking beyond the usual checklist of amenities. In his caption, he even urged other malls across the country to follow suit, saying this was the kind of basic empathy we don’t see often enough.The comments section quickly filled up with approval.Many people, especially women, pointed out how genuinely useful such a spot can be. One user called it “very, very helpful.” Another said all malls should have similar spaces to spare pregnant women unnecessary stress. A few mentioned that some malls already offer this facility, but agreed it’s still not common enough to be the norm.What really stood out was how the conversation shifted from praise to understanding the need behind it. As pregnancy progresses, simple things become harder. Balance changes. Walking long distances can be exhausting. Getting out of a car parked too close to another vehicle can feel like a mini obstacle course. These reserved spots, often wider and closer to lifts or entrances, aren’t about special treatment. They’re about making everyday movement safer and easier.Bengaluru, to be fair, has been warming up to such ideas for a while. The city made headlines earlier when Brigade Road introduced pink parking bays reserved exclusively for women drivers. The first set of slots was placed close to exits, brightly lit, and under CCTV coverage, small changes that made late-evening outings feel a little safer.Over time, malls and private parking spaces around the city followed with their own versions. Attendants keeping an eye on misuse, better lighting, and locations closer to entrances slowly became part of the plan. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed intent.And Bengaluru isn’t doing this alone.Across India, similar initiatives exist, though quietly. Kolkata’s South City Mall has a dedicated pink parking area for women. Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram offers women-only parking zones designed to make shopping trips more comfortable and less stressful.Globally, the idea has been around even longer. Women-only parking spaces first appeared in Germany in the 1990s and later spread to countries like South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, and others. Everywhere, the idea has been the same – reduce risk, improve access, and make public spaces a little more considerate.What makes this Bengaluru mall moment special, though, is how understated it is. There’s no flashy announcement. No banner screaming about inclusivity. Just a sign, a parking space, and a quiet reminder that sometimes, doing the right thing doesn’t need applause.Sometimes, it’s as simple as saving a parking spot and thinking about who might need it most.
