Bengaluru officials consider parking fees and new regulatory agency to curb congestion

The Karnataka government is considering new measures to combat severe traffic congestion in Bengaluru, including the potential establishment of a dedicated agency to oversee parking regulations. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda reported that parked vehicles currently occupy approximately 60 per cent of the city's road space, noting that expanding road networks alone will not solve the issue.

Proposed solutions include implementing annual residential street parking fees ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 25,000. While urban planners and business leaders support the concept of pricing public road space, experts emphasize that revenue must be reinvested into pedestrian infrastructure, cycling paths, and public transport rather than serving as a mere collection tool.

Industry representatives, such as the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have cautioned that punitive fees and fines must be accompanied by practical alternatives. Suggestions include linking new construction approvals to multi-level parking facilities and requiring proof of dedicated parking spaces prior to vehicle registration, similar to models used in Singapore and Japan.