Srinagar Smart City’s ₹70 hourly fee feels like a penalty compared to lower costs at highway tolls for greater distances
The Smart City Mission, launched with the noble intent of enhancing urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life, has made significant strides in cities like Srinagar. From smart lighting to improved drainage and modernized roads, citizens have witnessed visible change. However, not all changes have been welcomed. One such contentious issue that has stirred public outcry in Srinagar is the imposition of a ₹60-per-hour charge for parking under the Smart City initiative. At first glance, implementing organized parking may appear as a mark of progress. It introduces order, reduces illegal parking, and could improve traffic flow in the city center. But the steep fee structure ₹70 an hour—feels more like a penalty than a service, especially when compared with other public charges such as highway toll plazas, where the cost for far greater distance and service is sometimes lower. Let’s consider the math from a common man’s lens. If someone parks for just four hours in the city—perhaps to attend a meeting, shop for essentials, or visit a hospital—the cost becomes ₹240, a substantial amount in a city where daily wage earners may not even make double that. If parking is needed for a full workday, say eight hours, the bill crosses ₹450, almost comparable to a monthly bus pass. This effectively deters citizens from visiting the city center unless absolutely necessary and creates an unnecessary burden on small traders, patients, students, and salaried employees. Moreover, these charges seem disproportionate when juxtaposed against toll plazas. A vehicle passing through a toll gate covering over 50 kilometers of highway pays ₹30-50 depending on the route. But in Srinagar, simply occupying a patch of city land for one hour—without any added service like shade, security, or valet—is charged more.
“Srinagar has the potential to become a smart city, but it is essential that this development does not come at the expense of its residents. A truly intelligent city prioritizes not only advanced digital infrastructure but also the well-being and satisfaction of its community members. The focus should be on creating an inclusive environment that fosters progress while ensuring that all citizens can benefit from urban advancements.”
The justification from authorities may lie in revenue generation, encouraging public transport, or deterring congestion. These are indeed valid urban planning strategies. But punitive pricing without offering viable alternatives ends up punishing the middle class and poor rather than incentivizing behavioral change. Where are the efficient public transport systems that would allow people to leave their vehicles at home? Are there enough shuttle services, well-connected bus routes, or park-and-ride facilities to absorb the transition? Smart city solutions must be inclusive and considerate of ground realities. Smartness is not in how advanced our systems appear, but in how thoughtfully they are integrated into the lives of everyday citizens. It is disappointing that while private vehicles are viewed as culprits in congestion, the solution seems skewed towards pricing people out of access, rather than creating a balanced ecosystem of mobility. The need of the hour is a rationalized, tiered parking system. First 30 minutes should be free or nominally charged to allow quick errands. A reduced rate for daily or monthly passes holders—especially shopkeepers, students, and employees working in the city center—must be introduced. Incentives for shared vehicles or electric vehicles could also be explored. Additionally, a feedback mechanism must be created where citizens can voice their suggestions and grievances, allowing policymakers to course-correct. Urban development must walk hand-in-hand with empathy. Srinagar deserves to be a smart city, but one that doesn’t price out its people in the name of progress. A truly intelligent city knows that its strength lies not just in digital infrastructure, but in the well-being and satisfaction of its residents.
