In a move aimed at easing traffic congestion and streamlining vehicle management in the city, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) will develop parking facilities along 11 major roads in the Civil Lines area.
Officials said after conducting surveys in multiple phases, roadside locations along these identified routes were earmarked for parking.
Under the new policy, designated parking zones will be clearly demarcated on these roads, and vehicle owners will be required to pay fees for roadside parking.
Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort to bring order to chaotic roadside parking and improve traffic flow in the busy Civil Lines commercial and administrative hub.
If the plan proceeds as scheduled, all the proposed parking facilities will become operational simultaneously from April 1. The operation and management of these parking sites will be handed over to private agencies through a tender process.
Significantly, several roads identified for parking development are the same stretches where, in recent weeks, the municipal corporation and traffic police carried out enforcement drives and issued challans against illegally parked vehicles.
According to the plan, Nawab Yusuf Road and the stretch in front of the Allahabad High Court will continue to remain strict no-parking zone. Once parking facilities on alternative routes become operational, any vehicle found parked on Nawab Yusuf Road or outside the High Court premises will be challaned.
On the notified roads, parking areas will be clearly marked, and vehicles found parked outside the designated zones will be lifted using tow vans.
Parking charges were also broadly finalised. The minimum parking fee for two-wheelers will be ₹15 while four-wheelers will be charged ₹30. Vehicles parked beyond the stipulated time will attract additional charges. The new parking arrangements are being planned afresh, with separate tenders floated for different routes. Basic facilities such as public toilets will also be developed near parking sites.
However, a major challenge is widespread encroachment. Several major roads in Civil Lines continue to suffer from encroachments by vendors, temporary structures and shop extensions. Despite repeated drives by the municipal corporation, these encroachments tend to resurface within days, reducing effective road width and hampering both traffic movement and parking arrangements. Civic officials admit that unless sustained enforcement is ensured, encroachment could undermine the effectiveness of the new system.
Additional municipal commissioner Arvind Rai said preparations are being made at all levels to roll out the new parking policy smoothly from April. “Coordinated efforts would be made to keep the parking areas encroachment-free so that the initiative delivers long-term relief from traffic congestion in Civil Lines,” he said.
