Bengaluru’s latest plan to tackle roadside parking by converting vacant private plots into parking facilities has sparked debate among traffic experts, residents and civic officials, many of whom believe that creating more parking spaces alone will not solve the city’s long-standing congestion problems.
The proposal comes as city corporations prepare to use vacant private and government land near commercial hubs and traffic hotspots to ease parking shortages. However, experts argue that the real challenge lies in enforcement rather than availability.
Experts call for stricter enforcement
Traffic expert Professor M N Sreehari said Bengaluru already has several Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) facilities that remain underutilised, indicating that lack of parking space is not always the primary issue.
According to him, strict action against illegal roadside parking, including immediate fines, proper signages and public awareness campaigns, is essential if the city hopes to see meaningful improvements.
Traffic police officials echoed similar concerns, noting that many motorists prefer parking illegally on roadsides even when designated parking facilities are available nearby.
Officials said Garuda teams regularly patrol congested areas and remove obstructing vehicles, but the scale of the problem often outpaces enforcement efforts.
Basement parking and planning seen as key
Experts believe the city must focus on ensuring adequate parking provisions in new residential and commercial developments.
They argue that building approvals should be linked to mandatory parking infrastructure, preventing future dependence on public roads for vehicle storage.
Proper parking assessments for shopping complexes, commercial establishments and apartment projects should become a standard requirement during the planning stage, they added.
Residents raise concerns over private plot proposal
Residents of commercialised neighbourhoods such as Koramangala, Indiranagar and New BEL Road fear that turning vacant private plots into parking facilities could worsen local traffic and security concerns.
They argue that increased vehicle movement inside residential streets could further disrupt neighbourhoods already struggling with congestion and noise.
Towing and pay-and-park system planned
Meanwhile, civic authorities are preparing to introduce expanded pay-and-park systems and restart towing operations across several parts of the city.
Officials believe these measures, combined with additional parking facilities, could help regulate parking behaviour and reduce traffic bottlenecks.
While the proposal remains in its early stages, authorities say safeguards will be introduced to address security and residential concerns before implementation.