Bhopal Municipal Corporation Earns Revenue From Unregulated Roadside Parking | FP Photo
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reportedly earning significant revenue from roadside parking including multi-level parking zones.
According to records, BMC releases tenders for managing 41 parking spots divided into seven zones across the city, charging ₹10 for two-wheelers and ₹20 for four-wheelers.
Zone 12, covering major commercial hubs like MP Nagar Zone 1 and ISBT, has the highest number of parking zones at 16. Zone 10, which includes busy areas such as MP Nagar Zone 2, Mansarovar Complex, and 10 Number Market, has 14 parking spots. These parking facilities occupy significant portions of roads during working hours, leading to frequent traffic congestion.
Several parking spaces, including those near Mansarovar Complex, have been created in no-parking zones and service lanes, causing further disruption. Despite this, BMC collects charges from commuters parking in these areas. This unregulated approach to parking management raises questions about accountability and the impact on Bhopal’s traffic and road infrastructure.
PWD job
BMC chairman Kishan Suryawanshi said 90% of roads in the city are developed and maintained by Public Works Department (PWD). Consequently, BMC benefits from parking revenue without bearing maintenance costs. When contacted, BMC parking official Harshit Tiwari declined to provide details about the parking tenders or verify their validity.
‘No permit from us’
According to Additional DCP (traffic) Vikram Raghuwanshi, BMC does not obtain permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from traffic police before allotting roadside parking spots. Vehicles are allowed to park only in extended roadside areas marked by white lines, he said. Any vehicle parked beyond these limits is subject to fines by traffic police.
