Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar urged by his own cabinet minister to reconsider parking fee proposal in Bengaluru

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy has urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to reconsider the proposed annual fee of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 for roadside vehicle parking in Bengaluru, saying it could impose an additional financial burden on middle-class and ordinary families.

In a letter dated August 24, Reddy, who is an MLA from Bengaluru, acknowledged the need to regulate roadside parking amid the growing number of vehicles and traffic problems in Bengaluru.

However, he said the economic condition of ordinary citizens must also be taken into consideration before introducing the proposed charges.

Reddy said middle-class and ordinary families were already facing financial pressure due to rising prices of essential commodities and increased expenses on cooking gas, petrol, diesel, GST and tolls.

"Imposing an additional annual parking fee of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 merely for owning a vehicle could become another financial burden on such families," he said.

Bengaluru residents seeking to park vehicles on public roads outside their homes may have to pay an annual residential parking fee of up to Rs 25,000, depending on the vehicle type, under the draft GBA (Parking) Rules, 2026.

The draft rules propose an annual residential parking permit fee of Rs 15,000 for hatchbacks, Rs 20,000 for sedans and Rs 25,000 for sports utility vehicles.

Noting that the state government had implemented various welfare guarantee schemes to improve people's living standards and provide economic support, the minister said that, therefore, care should be taken to ensure that families living in urban areas were not subjected to another unavoidable financial burden.

While some residents with large plots or independent houses may be able to park their vehicles within their premises, most middle-class families live in houses with limited space or apartments and often lack adequate parking facilities, he said.

Reddy welcomed the emphasis being placed on parking arrangements under rules governing new building construction. However, he pointed out that it was often not possible to provide parking facilities in older buildings and residential areas of Bengaluru that matched the city's present vehicle population.

"Many families are already managing home and vehicle loans, children's education, healthcare and other day-to-day expenses. In this context, an additional annual parking fee could put a financial burden on them," he said.

Reddy said regulating roadside parking through appropriate fees and penalties was necessary and that he welcomed such measures. At the same time, he urged the government to examine exemptions for ordinary families who did not regularly use their vehicles and did not have parking facilities within their buildings.

He also suggested that the government consult Bengaluru legislators, civil society organisations and concerned officials before taking a final decision on the proposed parking charges.

"It would be appropriate to take a decision after considering the public interest and the ground realities of parking in Bengaluru," Reddy said.