Bengaluru is set to see a significant transformation in its parking landscape as the Urban Development Department has introduced a fresh draft of rules aimed at overhauling the city’s paid parking system. The proposed Greater Bengaluru Authority (Parking) Rules, 2026, envision a four-way expansion of paid parking, incorporating on-street and off-street facilities, while also offering incentives for private landowners to contribute to public parking solutions. This initiative comes as Bengaluru’s city corporations are actively seeking new revenue streams and improved traffic management strategies.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the draft rules propose a multi-faceted approach to parking management. For on-street parking, city corporations will be tasked with developing parking facilities on designated roads, adhering to approved area parking plans. The policy also extends to off-street parking, encouraging the utilization of unused corporation and government land, unallotted civic amenity sites, and integrating multi-level parking into corporation properties during redevelopment projects. Temporary surface parking may also be developed on land currently embroiled in litigation until legal disputes are resolved.
A key aspect of the new draft rules is the incentive structure designed to encourage private landowners to offer their vacant plots for public parking. Property owners who provide off-street public parking could be eligible for property tax exemptions. Specifically, those who develop multi-level or mechanized parking facilities with a minimum capacity of 30 vehicle parking units (PCUs) and up to 200 PCUs could receive a 100% exemption from applicable property tax and service charges. For surface-level parking on vacant plots, with a capacity of at least 15 PCUs, owners may receive a 50% exemption from property tax and service charges, with the plot assessed as a vacant site.
The policy also outlines conditions for leasing vacant private plots for parking. City corporations may enter into lease agreements for residential, commercial, or industrial vacant plots. The minimum lease period would vary based on the type of parking infrastructure developed, ranging from three years for surface parking, ten years for mechanized parking, and fifteen years for concrete multi-level car parks. Furthermore, the rules permit vacant plot owners and third-party aggregators to operate public parking, provided they meet specified conditions related to access road width, ownership or lease documentation, and the exclusive use of the plot for parking.
In an effort to promote public transportation and improve first-mile connectivity, the draft rules propose the creation of enhanced off-street parking facilities around metro stations, major bus terminals, and suburban railway stations. Transit agencies operating within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits will be mandated to provide off-street parking on available land, particularly in peripheral areas and at interchange stations, to support a park-and-ride system. These facilities will also be accessible to the general public, irrespective of their use of public transport.
The draft rules also address on-street parking by categorizing roads into three types: Categories A, B, and C, with parking charges varying according to the classification. This system aims to discourage long-duration on-street parking, especially where off-street parking options are available nearby. For instance, car parking rates on Category A roads could range from ₹40 to ₹80 per hour, while two-wheelers might be charged ₹20 to ₹40 per hour. Off-street parking is proposed to be comparatively cheaper, with hourly rates for cars suggested between ₹20 to ₹40 and for two-wheelers between ₹10 to ₹20. Monthly off-street parking passes are also being considered, with a potential 50% concession for parking between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Residential parking is also set to undergo changes, with proposals for annual residential parking permits. The fees for these permits would be tiered based on vehicle type, potentially ranging from ₹15,000 for small cars, ₹20,000 for sedans, and ₹25,000 for SUVs annually. These permits would be mandatory for on-street residential parking and issued only to residents whose buildings comply with minimum parking requirements stipulated in building bylaws. Residents of properties that do not meet these requirements and park on public roads without a valid permit could face penalties.
The draft Greater Bengaluru Authority (Parking) Rules, 2026, have been published in the official gazette, and the public has been invited to submit objections and suggestions within 30 days. The Chief Commissioner of the GBA will serve as the competent authority to approve these plans in consultation with the Bengaluru City Police. The implementation of these rules is expected to significantly impact traffic management and urban mobility in Bengaluru, promoting a more organized and efficient parking ecosystem across the city.
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