Bengaluru: An AI-enabled paid parking system is proposed to be rolled out in key areas of the city, with Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) preparing to implement the model in Jayanagar, HSR Layout, Cubbon Park and Koramangala.“The system, designed to regulate unorganised roadside parking and ease congestion, will be fully digital and app-based. Motorists will be required to park only in designated slots identified through a mobile application, with real-time monitoring enabled through artificial intelligence. Vehicles parked outside authorised zones will be flagged automatically, triggering alerts to towing personnel and inviting penalties,” said a senior GBA official.According to GBA officials, a Chennai-based private firm will handle operations, including mapping parking spaces, integrating payment systems and managing enforcement. “This is a technology-driven intervention aimed at bringing discipline to on-street parking. AI will help us monitor violations in real time and ensure compliance without manual intervention,” a senior GBA official said.The authority has plans to impose parking fees of Rs 30 per hour for two-wheelers and Rs 50 per hour for cars, with payments to be made through QR codes and the app. “Cities across the world have adopted structured paid parking to manage limited road space efficiently. Bengaluru, as a leading IT city, must move in that direction,” another GBA official noted.However, the proposal has raised concerns among traffic police and local stakeholders. Police officials have objected to the inclusion of residential streets, cautioning that charging fees in such areas — many of which are already notified as parking zones — could lead to public resistance. “A calibrated approach is needed, especially in residential neighbourhoods,” a senior traffic official said. The proposal comes as GBA is making preparations for civic elections.
