Bengaluru: After nearly two years of suspension, the pay-and-park system has been reintroduced on M.G. Road, but steep parking fees have left motorists, employees and commercial associations disgruntled.
New system reintroduced
A private agency, S.K. Infotech, has been contracted to manage parking on the one-km stretch between Mayo Hall Signal and the LIC Building. Charges have been set at ₹15 per hour for two-wheelers and ₹30 per hour for four-wheelers. The same amount applies for every additional hour, meaning that two hours of parking would cost ₹30 for two-wheelers and ₹60 for four-wheelers.
The system has been operational since September 12, according to the City Central Corporation, and is likely to be expanded to other roads in the Central Business District (CBD) in the coming months.
Commuters unhappy with pricing
While many accept that paid parking is necessary to curb haphazard vehicle stops and ease traffic congestion, employees and regular commuters say the charges are excessive.
“There are hardly any affordable parking options in the CBD. Paying ₹15 extra per hour for a two-wheeler is unreasonable,” said Navya R., an office-goer who parks daily on M.G. Road. “I work nine hours a day, which means nearly ₹130 daily, or about ₹4,000 a month, just for parking.”
For car owners, the costs are even steeper. A four-wheeler parked for a full working day could cost up to ₹270, adding up to nearly ₹8,000 per month—an amount that employees argue is unaffordable.
Operational details
S.K. Infotech has deployed eight staff members to collect fees. Parking is chargeable between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The agency has also been authorised to clamp vehicles found without payment.
An S.K. Infotech representative defended the system, saying: “We are following the contract given by the civic body. The charges are as per the approved rates, and our staff is only ensuring compliance.”
Business community’s criticism
Commercial establishments in the area, particularly shop owners on Brigade Road, have criticised the move. They argue that involving private contractors has made the process opaque.
“This is nothing short of a money-making mafia. The civic body should have introduced an automated system, especially after the failures of the earlier model,” said Suhail Yousuf, secretary of the Brigade Road Shops and Establishments Association.
Traders fear that high parking costs will discourage shoppers and office-goers from frequenting the CBD, ultimately affecting business.
Lessons from past experiences
This is not the first time Bengaluru’s civic authorities have outsourced parking management. In 2020, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had signed a similar contract with another private agency, but it was terminated after the contractor defaulted on payments.
The lack of transparency and accountability in private parking contracts has long been a concern. Critics argue that without an automated, technology-driven model, such systems are prone to misuse and poor execution.
What lies ahead
City Central Corporation officials confirmed that discussions are underway to expand paid parking across more roads in the CBD. While the aim is to bring order to traffic and create a more disciplined parking environment, stakeholders argue that public feedback and affordability must be prioritised.
As the debate intensifies, Bengaluru residents await whether the civic body will make course corrections—perhaps by introducing a digital, automated system or revising the fee structure. Until then, many fear that the current plan risks alienating commuters while doing little to resolve the parking chaos.