Parking a vehicle on the public road outside one’s home in Bengaluru could soon come with an annual fee of up to Rs 25,000 under the draft Greater Bengaluru Area (Parking) Rules, 2026. The Karnataka government is proposing residential parking permits of Rs 15,000 for small cars, Rs 20,000 for sedans and Rs 25,000 for SUVs, alongside hourly charges for non-residential on-street parking.
The proposal aims to reduce prolonged occupation of public road space and encourage motorists to use off-street parking. Officials say the rules are still being fine-tuned and will be placed before the public for suggestions and objections before being finalised.
A Price On Roadside Parking
Under the proposed system, residents who park vehicles on public roads outside their homes would need an annual permit. The proposed fee is Rs 15,000 for small cars, Rs 20,000 for sedans and Rs 25,000 for SUVs. Non-residential on-street parking would also be charged by the hour, with cars costing Rs 40 on Category C roads, Rs 60 on Category B roads and Rs 80 on Category A roads. Two-wheelers would be charged Rs 20, Rs 30 and Rs 40 respectively. Charges would increase for vehicles parked beyond two hours, making prolonged roadside parking increasingly expensive.
Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao said the proposals were still at the draft stage and would undergo further discussions. “There would be many more rounds of meetings” before the rules are finalised, he told Deccan Herald, adding that officials had suggested fine-tuning some provisions. The broader objective is to address the gap between the demand for parking and the available supply.
Off-Street Parking To Be Encouraged
The proposed rules seek to make off-street parking comparatively more affordable, encouraging vehicle owners to move their cars and two-wheelers away from public roads. Cars could be charged Rs 20-40 per hour at off-street facilities, while two-wheelers could pay Rs 10-20. Monthly parking could cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000, with a 50% discount proposed for vehicles parked between 8 pm and 8 am.
The GBA is also exploring incentives for private property owners to convert vacant plots into parking facilities. Earlier proposals included tax incentives for landowners who provide parking, particularly in areas where demand is high. The draft also envisages stricter enforcement, including violation notices and, with police approval, towing or clamping of illegally parked vehicles. Parking revenue is proposed to be kept in a separate account and reinvested in parking infrastructure, footpaths, bus shelters and other mobility projects.
Parking Will Depend On Available Road Space
The proposed permits would not give residents an unrestricted right to park outside their homes. Under the draft rules, residential parking could be allowed only on designated roads where sufficient space remains for traffic movement and pedestrians. On collector roads, at least 6 metres of road space for traffic circulation and 1.8 metres of clear footpath space on both sides would have to remain after parking.
On local roads, at least 4 metres for traffic movement and 1.8 metres of footpath space on at least one side would be required. Parking would also be prohibited on the main carriageways of certain high-density arterial roads, with restrictions possible during peak hours.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bengaluru’s parking crisis reflects a larger question about how limited public space should be shared in a rapidly growing city. Regulating roadside parking and creating more off-street options could help free up roads and footpaths, but a policy that asks residents to pay thousands of rupees each year also needs to account for affordability, housing design and the availability of realistic alternatives.
The government’s decision to seek public feedback before finalising the rules is therefore important. A sustainable parking policy should not simply make parking expensive; it should make streets safer, mobility easier and public space more equitable. Do you think Bengaluru should charge residents for parking on public roads, or should affordable parking alternatives be created first?
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