Private landowners can rent out space for parking in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In an attempt to resolve parking problems in the city, the TS government has decided to convert open and vacant private lands for off-street parking.

The GHMC will give licence to individual owners who can collect parking fee at the rates determined by corporation. As part of this initiative, the government has decided to invite proposals from owners of private plots of land for conversion to set up off-street parking facilities. 

Principal secretary Arvind Kumar of the municipal administration and urban development department, said about 700 new vehicles were being added in the city every day, increasing traffic and parking woes.

He said the limited parking space available with the government and the fact that multi-level parking might take time was resulting in uncontrolled street parking, creating chaos and congestion and endangering the lives of motorists.

As urban land was scarce and expensive, there was the need to optimise parking places in urban areas and efforts should be to utilise the available open areas for parking.

On directions of minister K.T. Rama Rao, Mr Kumar reviewed the parking policy with the officials. According to the GO issued on July 7, 2017, development and use of private open plots for parking was allowed.

Mr Kumar said individual plot owners should obtain licence from the GHMC as it would be a revenue generating activity. The government had decided to invite proposals from owners of the private plots.

GHMC additional commissioner (estates and housing) G. Ramesh had been appointed designated officer for this.

On receiving requests, GHMC would examine the feasibility of the locations in terms of likely traffic and issue licences for useful sites on a three-month short-term and annual basis. Rates would be prescribed for a licence fee.