Free Parking in Karachi! KMC Drops Fees at Designated Spots

Karachi: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has decided to make all its designated parking sites free of charge, Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced. A formal notification will soon be issued to relieve citizens of parking fees.

Mayor Wahab stated that KMC is now financially stable, with over Rs 2 billion in its accounts and more revenue expected. He added that the corporation no longer requires Rs 40-50 million from parking fees, and strict legal action will be taken against individuals illegally collecting money under KMC’s name.

As part of the decision, parking fees will be abolished at 46 out of 106 main roads under KMC’s jurisdiction. However, charges will continue in 25 towns and six cantonment board areas.

Crackdown on Double Parking and Illegal Parking Spots

In a related effort to ease Karachi’s traffic congestion, the city administration has imposed a ban on double parking on major roads. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi, Hassan Naqvi, where officials stressed the need for stricter traffic management and enforcement of charged parking regulations.

DIG Traffic Karachi Ahmed Nawaz revealed that there are 201 charged parking areas in the city, with around 130 located on key roads. However, illegal parking spots, particularly in the South District, have been a major factor in worsening traffic conditions. He noted that these unauthorized spots significantly disrupt traffic flow.

Authorities have decided to strictly monitor parking contractors to ensure compliance with regulations. Any violations will result in permit cancellations, with the district administration and traffic police collaborating to enforce the new rules effectively.

Closure of Intercity Bus Ticket Counters

The meeting also addressed the issue of intercity bus ticket counters operating within Karachi, which have been contributing to congestion. The Transport Secretary has been directed to shut down these counters and prevent ticket sales within the city as part of broader traffic management measures.

The Karachi administration remains committed to improving traffic conditions by implementing stricter regulations and eliminating unauthorized parking operations.