Kolkata Municipal Corporation is preparing to relaunch an app-based parking system to curb illegal parking, improve fee transparency and prevent vehicles from blocking footpaths, according to a report by Anandabazar – Kolkata. The new system is being planned jointly with Kolkata Police after the earlier technology-led initiative failed to become operational.
Illegal parking remains a recurring problem across Kolkata, with cars often lined up on both sides of roads and motorcycles and four-wheelers occupying footpaths. The practice reduces space for pedestrians and complicates movement on already congested streets. The corporation now wants vehicles to be parked only in designated and authorised parking areas.
Under the proposed system, information about parking locations, applicable fees and illegal parking violations will be brought together through the app. Each identified parking area is expected to display its hourly fee clearly. The corporation also plans to require parking personnel to wear designated uniforms and carry photo identity cards.
The initiative is being developed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police, with the stated aim of making parking operations more transparent. The proposed arrangement is also intended to address long-standing complaints about financial irregularities linked to parking collection and uncertainty over where vehicles may legally be parked.
A similar plan was announced in December 2023 by then mayor Firhad Hakim. That proposal envisaged coordination between the transport department, the municipal corporation and Kolkata Police. If a vehicle was found parked illegally, details were to be sent to the relevant departments through the app, while the vehicle owner would receive a penalty message based on the registration number.
The earlier proposal also included a provision for the fine to increase if it was not paid within seven days. Outstanding penalties for up to a year were expected to create difficulties in obtaining necessary vehicle clearances. However, the system did not become operational, according to the report.
The corporation and police are now seeking to avoid the technical problems associated with the earlier initiative. The new plan places particular emphasis on ensuring that parking information, fee collection and illegal-parking monitoring work through a more reliable system. The corporation has also reiterated that vehicles will not be allowed on footpaths.
The report does not specify a launch date for the revised app or provide details of the technology vendor, enforcement process or penalties under the new arrangement. The next step is the development and implementation of the updated system by the civic body and Kolkata Police.
