The Local Self-Government department (LSGD) has revised the minimum parking fees in panchayat areas following an observation by the Kerala High Court on the impracticality of existing fees fixed as per rules framed in 1995. Minimum parking fees are proposed to be revised in municipalities and corporations too. Rates for various kinds of parking lots have been fixed based on the facilities provided.

The High Court, in a case related to the charging of high parking fees from Sabarimala devotees at Erumeli, had in July this year observed that the existing parking fees in panchayats fixed as per the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Landing Places, Halting Places, Cart Stands And Other Vehicle Stands) Rules, 1995 is impractical. The State government decided to revise and fix uniform rates for parking across the State.

For parking lots without any facilities, the parking fees have been fixed at ₹10 for two-wheelers, ₹20 for cars, ₹40 for mini buses and ₹60 for buses for a period of 24 hours. The respective rates for 24 hours will be ₹15, ₹40, ₹80 and ₹120 for parking lots with extra facilities. The order issued on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) notes that the minimum requirements for parking lots are sufficient space, drinking water and toilet facilities.

The additional facilities include CCTV surveillance to prevent theft or damage to vehicles, gated entry using automatic number plate recognition or RFID tags, fast charging points for electric vehicles, electronic display boards showing the vacant spots, app-based parking reservation facilities, automated parking using robotic lifts and hydraulic stackers, separate parking lots for differently-abled and covered parking lots.

Published - August 21, 2026 06:35 pm IST