Bengaluru SMVT Station Introduces Parking Fees: Pay Rs 200 If You Stay Over 30 Minutes

Bengaluru's Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Railway Station has introduced a mandatory parking fee for vehicles picking up and dropping off passengers, drawing significant criticism from travelers. The new policy, effective immediately, requires vehicles to pay a fee if they remain on the station premises for over ten minutes. This measure aims to manage traffic congestion and ensure smooth movement within the station.

Under the new rules, vehicles staying less than ten minutes are not charged, but those exceeding this duration will incur a fee. The parking rates are as follows:

• Two-wheelers: Rs 40 for up to ten minutes; Rs 100 for more than thirty minutes.
• Four-wheelers: Rs 50 for up to ten minutes; Rs 200 for more than thirty minutes.

The rule has sparked frustration among passengers, especially during train delays, as many feel it is unfair to be charged for waiting while picking up family members. South Western Railway (SWR) officials have defended the policy, citing the need to control vehicle flow at the station. "A vehicle access-control system is crucial at the railway station. Many vehicles enter and leave late, causing severe traffic jams. This new system will reduce congestion and improve vehicle movement inside the station," an SWR official explained.

The parking management at SMVT station has been outsourced to a private company, which secured the contract through a tender process. This company will manage all traffic-related issues at the station.

A similar parking fee system was introduced at Kempegowda International Airport on May 20, where passengers had a 7-minute grace period for pick-ups and drop-offs, with a Rs 150 fee applied thereafter. However, the policy faced strong backlash from taxi drivers, leading to its withdrawal the following day.