More than six months after notifying the parking policy for GHMC and other urban areas, the Telangana government has taken the first step towards operationalising it by inviting proposals from owners interested to convert their open plots into parking lots for short durations.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar, after reviewing the parking policy, has decided to invite proposals for converting private plots for off-street parking facilities as specified in the policy.
The parking policy was announced by the government in July last year and recommended options covering various parking needs, including on-street parking, short stay parking, parking in residential areas, parking at public institutions and theatres, heavy vehicle parking, parking in railway/MMTS/Metro Stations/bus terminals and off-street parking lots.
Of these, off-street parking envisions public-private-partnership between plot owners and government for development of multi-level parking.
Accordingly, parking lots would be developed by both government agencies and private developers, and Build-Operate-Transfer model may be encouraged.
Private land owners may be provided with license by GHMC for allowing parking facility in open plots as well as development of multi-level parking spaces.
The policy also proposed incentives for private land owners willing to accommodate public parking. The incentives may be in the form of transferable development rights equivalent to 100 per cent of the built up area provided for parking, permission of commercial use in relaxation of zoning regulations, relaxation of the height of the building in case multiple floors are proposed for parking, 100 per cent property tax exemption for the parking area provided for a fixed number of years and 100% exemption of building permission fee and charges for parking area.
However, the latest statement by the government on plans to finalise at least 10 multi-level car parking sites in the city has kept silent on the incentives.
As per the statement, individual plot owners should obtain necessary license from GHMC and collect parking fee at the rates determined by GHMC.
Private plot owners interested in the proposal may approach the designated officer, Additional Commissioner (Estates and Housing) G. Ramesh at 9949546622 or mail to acestatehousing@gmail.com.
The GHMC would examine the feasibility of such locations in terms of likely traffic. Paid licenses for the useful eligible sites shall be issued on short term basis, for three months or six months or one year.
