In Uttar Pradesh, parking a vehicle overnight on the streets will now incur a fee. The Urban Development Department is set to implement a nighttime parking system, which will charge fees for public roads and spaces within municipal limits.

This implies that if a vehicle is parked on public roads at night, a parking fee will be applicable. The plan outlines that any vehicle parked during the night in areas under municipal jurisdiction will be charged a fee. The fees will be structured as follows: ₹100 per night, ₹300 for a week, ₹1,000 for a month, and ₹10,000 for a year.

Furthermore, if a vehicle is parked without a permit, the fine will be three times the standard fee. Currently, the department is gathering suggestions, objections, and resolutions regarding this proposal. The new parking policy will be implemented after receiving approval from the cabinet.

Reports indicate that the lack of a clear policy in the state has led to arbitrary parking tenders, resulting in a surge of illegal parking in urban areas. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently instructed the Urban Development Department to formulate a comprehensive parking policy, which is now being introduced.

There are also considerations for privatizing parking developed by the municipal corporations. Major companies will be allowed to bid for parking contracts in large cities. After obtaining permission from the municipal corporation, contractors will charge fees for parking areas constructed near railway stations, bus stands, offices, colleges, hostels, and commercial buildings. The plan includes developing multi-level parking facilities, with parking fees based on population size. In cities with a population of over 1 million, the monthly passes will cost ₹855 for two-wheelers and ₹1,800 for four-wheelers. The rates for two hours will be ₹15 for two-wheelers and ₹30 for four-wheelers, while parking for one hour will cost ₹7 and ₹15, respectively.

For cities with a population of less than 1 million, the monthly passes will be priced at ₹600 for two-wheelers and ₹1,200 for four-wheelers. The two-hour rates will be ₹10 for two-wheelers and ₹20 for four-wheelers, with one-hour parking costing ₹5 and ₹10, respectively. Nighttime parking will be charged separately from 11 PM to 6 AM.

The proposed parking fees aim to regulate street parking and curb illegal practices. The Principal Secretary of Urban Development, Amrit Abhijat, has published the draft regulations for the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of Parking Spaces) 2024 and is inviting objections. Suggestions can be sent to the Urban Development Department via email or post.

With no clear governance in urban areas regarding parking, municipalities have been operating under arbitrary practices. The implementation of this new policy is expected to significantly increase revenue for municipal bodies. Additionally, the proposed policy encourages park-and-ride facilities for public transportation, considering the privatization of parking developed by municipal corporations to enhance collective transport options and reduce the use of private vehicles.