Patna : In a bid to curb traffic congestion and streamline urban mobility, authorities in Patna have banned roadside parking on major roads and introduced designated parking facilities at five key locations across the city.
The move, part of the Smart City Mission, aims to ensure smoother traffic flow and better accessibility in high-density areas. The new parking zones are located near Eco Park, City Center Mall, Tara Mandal, Buddha Smriti Park, and Patna Zoo.
According to officials, vehicles visiting Eco Park will be directed to a designated lane opposite Bihar Museum, while those heading to City Center Mall must park at Gandhi Maidan. Similarly, parking for Tara Mandal and ISKCON Temple has been arranged at Miller School grounds.
Animesh Kumar Parashar, Managing Director of Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL), said the initiative includes modern parking solutions such as multi-level hydraulic parking systems and online booking platforms. “We are working to address urban mobility challenges with smart, efficient solutions,” he said.
The new parking facilities will be equipped with CCTV surveillance and are expected to accommodate hundreds of vehicles during peak hours.
To enforce the new system, authorities have introduced stricter penalties for illegal parking. Fines have been increased to Rs500 for first-time offenses and Rs1,000 for repeat violations, with traffic police conducting regular inspections.
While residents have welcomed the initiative, some remain sceptical about its implementation. Ramesh Singh, a businessman from Boring Road, said, “It’s a great step, but the authorities need to ensure proper maintenance and enforcement.”
