Under the Mangaluru Smart City Project, the Kadri Park entry road — redeveloped at a cost of ₹12 crore — will soon feature a digital parking toll system. Officials confirmed that a FASTag-enabled Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) system will be introduced from January 2026 to regulate vehicle parking and support road maintenance.
The road stretch, developed as part of the city’s infrastructure modernisation efforts, connects Padua to the Circuit House and accommodates around 100 cars. The plan aims to streamline parking, reduce congestion, and ensure steady upkeep through a toll-based revenue model.
FASTag-based parking toll system
The newly implemented system will use radar-based ANPR cameras instead of physical barriers. These cameras will record vehicle number plates at two entry points and automatically link them to the vehicle’s FASTag account.
Vehicles exiting within five minutes will not be charged, while those parked longer will be billed a minimum parking fee of ₹50, automatically deducted via FASTag. Local residents who frequently use the road are expected to receive passes or other exemptions once the policy framework is finalised.
Shop management and revised rent structure
The shops constructed along Kadri Park Road have been leased to Amar Infra Company under the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) model. The firm will oversee the management of the road, shops, footpaths, and parking areas.
Initially, the project’s revenue fell short of expectations, prompting the proposal for toll-based parking. Shopkeepers had earlier voiced concerns about low footfall and high rents. To address this, lease rates have been revised.
Shops near the Circuit House will now be available at ₹20,000 monthly rent, ₹5,000 in maintenance fees, and a refundable deposit of ₹2.5 lakh. Lessees are required to operate for a minimum of two years. For shops between Kadri Park entry and Padua, rent is fixed at ₹15,000, with the same maintenance fee and deposit terms.
Smart City officials clarify implementation plan
Smart City General Manager Arun Prabha said ANPR cameras will be operational at both entry points of Kadri Park Road by early 2026. “The toll-based parking system will be implemented through FASTag to ensure transparency and ease of operation,” he said.
Authorities believe the system will not only improve parking management but also generate sustainable revenue for the maintenance of the Kadri Park Road stretch.