60% of Bengaluru Road Space Occupied by Parked Vehicles, Says Krishna Byre Gowda

Around 60% of Bengaluru’s road space is occupied by parked vehicles, leaving less room for moving traffic and worsening congestion, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Monday during a meeting at Vidhana Soudha.

Speaking with former mayors, Mr. Gowda stated that constructing more roads alone will not resolve the city's traffic issues. Instead, he called for stricter parking regulation and enforcement across Bengaluru.

Mr. Gowda noted that vehicles are routinely parked on both sides of even narrow roads, significantly reducing the effective capacity of existing infrastructure. To address the issue, he proposed appointing a dedicated agency to oversee and enforce parking rules, stating that the current civic and police workforce is inadequate to handle the task.

Emphasising the need to optimize existing road space, the Minister noted that the government continues to face public criticism despite ongoing road construction projects. He stated that finding a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic problems requires greater public cooperation, noting that without self-discipline from citizens, resolving the issue will not be possible.

Mr. Gowda also highlighted the need to encourage micro-mobility for short trips of up to two kilometres. He observed that this shift would only be practical if the city maintains usable footpaths and enforces parking rules strictly.

Beyond street parking, the Minister raised concerns regarding widespread violations of civic and building regulations throughout the city. These infractions include unauthorised modifications to sewer lines and the failure of residential buildings to provide adequate parking facilities for residents.