BHUBANESWAR: Amid the rising number of vehicles, shrinking urban spaces and frequent road congestion, the Odisha government is all set to introduce its first-ever state parking policy to streamline on-street and off-street parking through demand-based, technology-driven and inclusive management tools.
As the state has been witnessing rapid urbanisation and exponential vehicular growth, the policy will rationalise parking spaces, curb unregulated on-street parking, promote shared and off-street facilities, besides aligning the parking management with broader mobility and climate resilience goals.
As per the draft policy prepared by the Housing and Urban Development department, location-based parking norms will be tailored to land use, transit accessibility and local demand. While compact development will be prioritised with reduced parking minimums in well-connected urban zones, multimodal hubs will be equipped with short-duration parking for two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and buses along with park-and-ride facilities near mass transit corridors.
Commercial and retail areas will reserve short-term parking for visitors and long-term slots for shop owners and workers, with flexible allocation based on weekday or weekend demand. Recreational and congregation spaces will have temporary parking and traffic plans during festivals or events apart from the peripheral park-and-ride systems.
In order to dis-incentivise long-term on-street parking and promote off-street utilisation, the policy proposes dynamic and demand-based parking pricing linked to land value, location and duration of stay. A base parking fee will be fixed and premium pricing will apply in high-demand areas while off-street parking will be kept at least 25 per cent cheaper than on-street options.
"On-street parking will be restricted within 100 metres of off-street lots and congestion fees or peak-hour surcharges will be levied in busy zones. Free or discounted parking will be limited to special cases approved by the respective urban local bodies (ULBs). Municipal by-laws will be updated and strict penalties, towing and digital blacklisting for repeat violations will be enforced. ULBs will incentivise private and public establishments to adopt workplace mobility plans, promoting public transport, carpooling and non-motorised travel," the draft read.
This apart, residential parking permits and proof of available parking space for new vehicle registrations will be introduced in high-density areas to curb uncontrolled on-street parking and unchecked private vehicle growth. Residential areas will see strict norms prohibiting on-street parking on roads less than nine metres wide, with fee-based overnight parking allowed only in demarcated spaces.
The policy also proposes a City Urban Transport Fund (CUTF) to ensure financial sustainability and ring-fence parking revenues for reinvestment into sustainable mobility infrastructure. Each ULB will establish a dedicated parking authority to plan, regulate and monitor parking systems, coordinate with traffic police and manage concessions.
Shared and mixed-use parking will be strongly encouraged to ensure efficient utilisation of space, with facilities shared between offices, residences, and institutions based on time slots. ULBs will identify shared parking zones through parking area management plans (PAMPs) and incentivise institutions and property owners to open up underutilised off-street facilities for public use.
Hospitals will have to earmark designated zones for ambulances, doctors, staff, patients and visitors with free drop-off points, while educational institutions and offices will provide short-duration at-grade parking during peak hours and may use spaces for informal markets during after-hours. In industrial and warehousing areas, designated parking for goods vehicles and trailers will be mandatory, with overnight parking in municipal areas prohibited and heavy vehicle movement restricted during peak hours.
Beyond parking, the policy also embeds broader travel demand management measures to reduce congestion and improve liveability. Cities will prepare long-term comprehensive mobility plans prioritising inclusive public transport and improved last-mile access. Dedicated pedestrian and cycling lanes with lighting and green buffers will be developed along major roads, with parking discounts or reserved spaces offered for EVs, bicycles, and verified carpool vehicles.
An official of the H&UD department said the proposed policy envisions liveable, inclusive and people-friendly cities supported by a regulated, efficient and equitable parking ecosystem. “It will ensure fair access to street space for all users, strengthen multimodal transport and reduce dependence on private vehicles. Views and suggestions from several departments, police and other stakeholders have been sought. The policy will be introduced soon,” he said.
Sources said the number of registered motor vehicles in the state has jumped from 91.3 lakh in 2017-18 to more than 1.5 crore in 2023-24, posting a growth of over 65 per cent in six years. The surge in private vehicles ownership has strained the existing urban infrastructure leading to widespread congestion, haphazard on-street parking and inefficient use of public spaces not only in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack but also in medium and emerging cities such as Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Balasore and Puri.