Ahmedabad parking charges could rise substantially under a new Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation proposal that would introduce different rates based on parking type, municipal zone and traffic density. The proposed rates have not yet come into force and will require approval from the Town Planning Committee, Standing Committee and General Board before implementation.
The proposal seeks to replace parking rates fixed in 2015-16. Under the proposed schedule, two-wheelers parked in multilevel and off-street facilities would be charged ₹10 for the first hour, compared with the existing ₹5. In high-density traffic demand areas, the first-hour charge for a two-wheeler could rise to ₹20. For cars, the proposed first-hour rate ranges from ₹20 to ₹40, against the current ₹15.
The highest charges would apply in designated high-density traffic demand areas. For two-wheelers, the proposed rates are ₹20 for up to one hour, ₹40 for one to three hours, ₹60 for three to six hours, ₹80 for six to 12 hours and ₹100 for 12 to 24 hours. Cars would be charged ₹40, ₹80, ₹120, ₹160 and ₹250 for the same periods.
Multilevel and off-street parking would have a separate schedule applicable across zones. The proposed two-wheeler rates are ₹10 for one hour, ₹20 for one to three hours, ₹35 for three to six hours, ₹50 for six to 12 hours and ₹70 for 12 to 24 hours. For cars, the corresponding rates are ₹20, ₹40, ₹80, ₹120 and ₹170.
The proposal also differentiates between zones for ordinary on-street and underbridge parking. In the Central, North West, South West and West zones, the first-hour rates would be ₹15 for two-wheelers and ₹30 for cars. In the East, North and South zones, the proposed rates would be ₹10 and ₹20 respectively. Rates would increase with the duration of parking. In the first group of zones, the proposed 12-to-24-hour rates are ₹80 for two-wheelers and ₹200 for cars, while the corresponding rates in the second group are ₹70 and ₹170.
The revised schedule would introduce separate charges for three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles. At present, three-wheelers are charged at the four-wheeler rate, while light commercial vehicles are charged at the medium commercial vehicle rate. Under the proposal, a three-wheeler in a multilevel or off-street facility would pay ₹15 for the first hour, while a light commercial vehicle would pay ₹50. In high-density areas, the proposed first-hour rates are ₹30 and ₹60 respectively.
Commercial vehicle charges would also rise with longer parking durations. In high-density areas, the proposed 12-to-24-hour rates are ₹600 for medium commercial vehicles and ₹900 for heavy commercial vehicles. In multilevel and off-street facilities, the corresponding rates are ₹400 and ₹600.
The proposal would allow the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of each zone to identify high-density traffic demand areas based on parking requirements and review them periodically. On-street parking locations would also require a no-objection certificate from the traffic police.
According to the report, the proposal will first be placed before the Town Planning Committee and then the Standing Committee. It will require approval from the General Board before the new parking charges can be implemented. Until those approvals are secured, the existing rates remain applicable.
