After 10 years, pay-and-park to return

Deccan Chronicle first reported the return of pay-and-park scheme on August 1, when the tenders were floated. After a gap of 10 years, automated pay-and-park scheme is being brought back on the lines of Brigade Road to do away with haphazard parking and to bring revenues to the BBMP.

BBMP Administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar told Deccan Chronicle that though pay-and-park is banned across the city, random people charging for parking has not stopped. The BBMP property, the roads, is being used by informal people to collect parking fee at some parts of the city. “Parking fee is collected worldwide and why not in Bengaluru? It is impractical to remove pay-and-park system. The BBMP is only attempting to make it accountable and authorized,” he said.

In the first phase, only automated parking system will be introduced and 56 roads have been classified into A, B and C zones based on the density of traffic. Parking rates differ from one zone to another (see box). Tuesday is the last day for the contactors to participate in the tender and the response has been good. The lowest bidder will be given the tender, he said.

“The contractor is expected to install CCIV cameras, automated machines, provide the mobile app and also update it regularly. The successful bidder is expected to spend about Rs 50 crore and run it on Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for five years. After five years, they have to return it to the BBMP,” Mr Bhaskar said.

The return on investment is only in the form of collecting parking fee. The bidder is expected to earn '30 crore per annum. He can earn Rs 150 crore over five years. The bidder will not be provided any advertisement rights, he said.