Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy has asked Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to reconsider the proposed annual fee of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 for residential roadside parking in Bengaluru, warning that the charge could put an additional financial burden on middle-class households.
In a letter to Shivakumar, Reddy acknowledged the need to crack down on illegal and prolonged parking on city streets, but said the proposed fee should take into account residents who have no alternative parking space within their homes.
He pointed out that many families living in older layouts and smaller houses do not have internal parking facilities and are therefore dependent on roadside parking. He also flagged concerns over residents of rented houses and apartment complexes who may face difficulties under the proposed system.
Reddy said the additional annual charge would come at a time when households were already dealing with rising living costs and financial commitments such as education, healthcare, vehicle loans and other expenses.
"An annual fee of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 is likely to become another burden," he said in his letter, while urging the government to distinguish between illegal or long-term parking and residents who regularly use their vehicles but do not have parking space at home.
The proposed fee is part of the Greater Bengaluru Authority's draft parking regulations, which seek to overhaul parking management in the city and curb congestion caused by vehicles parked on roads for extended periods. The residential parking provision, however, has drawn criticism from residents and others concerned about its impact on households without private parking.
Reddy has now urged the Chief Minister to hold consultations with Bengaluru MLAs, resident welfare associations and other stakeholders before finalising the rules. He suggested that the government consider exemptions for residents who genuinely lack access to parking within their premises.
"It is important to regulate illegal parking for longer durations. However, an exception should be made to accommodate those who use the vehicles regularly and do not have parking space inside," Reddy said.
Sharing his letter on social media, Reddy said the proposed Rs 15,000-Rs 25,000 annual charge needed a "comprehensive review in the public interest". He said the government should seek a "balanced, practical solution" that addresses Bengaluru's parking and traffic problems without placing an undue burden on residents.