Srinagar, Mar 11: The roadside parking system introduced by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) has come under criticism from commuters and residents in Srinagar, with many calling the charges excessive and unaffordable for daily visitors to the city centre.
People across the city say the pay-and-park facilities set up under the Smart City initiative have increased the cost of parking, adding to the daily expenses of those who travel to commercial areas for work or business.
According to commuters, SSCL’s roadside parking slots charge up to Rs 70 per hour, and parking for four hours can cost around Rs 340. In contrast, traditional parking spaces in several parts of the city continue to charge around Rs 20–30 for an entire day.
“Why can’t SSCL keep the rates similar to other parking lots? Even Rs 20 or ₹30 per day would be reasonable. If parking is affordable, more people will use it and traffic congestion will automatically reduce,” said Awais Ahmad, a commuter from the Lal Chowk area.
Residents say people working in the city’s commercial hub are particularly affected by the high hourly charges.
“If someone parks their vehicle in these roadside slots for seven or eight hours, the parking fee can cross ₹500 in a single day. It feels like outright exploitation,” said Faisal Ahmad, a resident of Rainawari who frequently visits the city centre.
A resident from Ganderbal district said he was recently charged Rs 235 for parking his vehicle near Lal Chowk for nearly three hours.
“This is a huge amount. They are openly looting people,” he alleged.
Some traders and commuters also claim that different parking tariffs are being applied in various areas, particularly around tourist locations.
“Parking near tourist spots is charged at a different rate. There is no clarity or uniformity in the system,” said a shopkeeper at the Polo View Market.
Suhail Shah, Vice President of the Traders Association Central Lal Chowk, said the high parking charges have become a major concern for both shopkeepers and customers.
“SSCL’s roadside parking system has turned into a serious problem for the common man. Many people simply cannot afford such high charges every day,” Shah said.
He also alleged that the parking facilities are not being adequately supervised.
“There is hardly any proper monitoring of these parking spaces. The accountability mechanism is missing,” he added.
Traders and residents have urged the administration to reconsider the existing parking policy and introduce a uniform and affordable fee structure. They say the current system discourages people from visiting the city centre and may ultimately worsen traffic congestion rather than easing it.
Meanwhile, a senior official of Srinagar Smart City Limited said roadside parking is intentionally priced higher.
“Roadside parking will naturally be more expensive than designated parking facilities because these spaces are meant for short-term use. The objective is to reduce congestion on city roads,” the official said.
