Cabinet nod to new parking policy for paid facilities in 17 key UP cities

Time of India

06-05-2025

Lucknow: Parking problems in congested market areas and prime localities in key cities of Uttar Pradesh will soon be addressed to a large extent as the cabinet on Tuesday gave a go ahead to the urban development department to implement the new parking standardisation rules across 17 cities administered by municipal corporations in the state.Under the policy, more land will be utilised through private participation for paid parking services in key urban centres including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Meerut, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, and Bareilly, among others.Amenities like drinking water and toilets, CCTV cameras, electric vehicle charging points, boom barriers, automated ticket dispensers will also be provided at these parking facilities.Officials clarified that no night parking charges, or monthly fee would be imposed on people in residential colonies, as was proposed in the draft document in Sept last year.Once the objections and suggestions from the public were evaluated, a presentation was made before the Chief Minister and cabinet ministers."The state authorities were of the view that the new policy should not impact the people but aim at resolving congestion and parking space crunch in busy markets and areas around govt buildings," a senior officer said, explaining the reason for withdrawing the original decision.The department is estimating a three-fold jump in annual revenues generated through parking fees by 17 corporations. Currently estimated to be in the range of Rs 22 crore to Rs 25 crore, it is expected that the revenue would go up to Rs 70 crore to Rs 80 crore with the help of the new policy.Corporations would be given more authority to regulate haphazard parking, initiate action against vehicle owners who leave their cars and motorcycles on the streets irresponsibly, discourage private vehicle owners from blocking the right of way by parking their vehicles and abandoning private and commercial vehicles on the roads for multiple days.The corporations have been asked to reserve the minimum parking fees. Cities having populations of less than 10 lakh would charge a minimum fee of Rs 10 for two-wheelers and Rs 20 for four-wheelers for two hours. Cities having a population higher than 10 lakh will impose minimum fee of Rs 15 and Rs 30 for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, respectively.Rates have been prescribed for every additional hour, 24 hours and for a month.Principal secretary, urban development, Amrit Abhijat said that every corporation would have to constitute a dedicated parking management committee which would identify, evaluate and approve the designated parking areas."Basic public amenities such as drinking water and toilets will be offered in such complexes. CCTV cameras, electric vehicle charging points, boom barriers, automated ticket dispensers, digital payment facility, reserved space for individuals with disabilities will also be provided," Abhijat said.Increased parking charges will be applicable in areas where parking on the roadside will be allowed due to space crunch and unavailability of private space.