Bengaluru, 16 August

KPCC General Secretary and Spokesperson BR Naidu urged Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to reconsider their paid parking permit system for the City, stating in a letter that the plan ought to be conceptualised as an urban-management reform rather than a fee on citizens.

Naidu’s letter to the Ministers on Sunday comes after the government notified Greater Bengaluru Authority (Parking) Rules, 2026, which proposes annual fees ranging from Rs 15,000 for small cars to Rs 25,000 for SUVs, if they are parked on public roads. The fee would apply even if the four-wheeler was parked right in front of the owners’ home.

Naidu noted that many homes residential areas were built before the parking norms were established in the City, meaning it was impractical for homes to be retrospectively fitted with private parking facilities. Some homes would be too small, he noted, and others may not be able to afford such redesigns. 

Naidu suggested distinguishing between a household's first vehicle and multiple vehicles occupying public space. He proposed nominal or concessional permits for the first vehicle of genuine residents without usable on-premises parking, with higher charges for additional vehicles.

He also proposed ward-level street classification before charging after a physical/GIS survey. Streets could be designated as no-parking, restricted parking or residential parking. 

“Before implementation in each ward, publish the proposed parking map and invite suggestions. Ward committees, RWAs/apartment associations, traffic police, fire services and civic engineers should be consulted,” he wrote.  

Adding that footpaths and junctions were non-negotiables in the new parking revamp, he also asked for concessions for people with special needs. 

Further, he said that the enforcement should be done in a pilot manner, and that outcomes should be published so that people can review the new regulations.