Smart on Street: Dhaka North launches parking app for eight Gulshan roads

Commuters in Gulshan can now expect hassle-free parking for their vehicles as the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), in collaboration with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has launched an app introducing the country's first-ever on-street parking facility in the posh vicinity.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal inaugurated the app, "Smart on Street Parking", at an event at the DNCC head office in Gulshan-2 on Wednesday.

The app covers 202 parking spaces on eight different roads in the Gulshan area.

The home minister said, "The Prime Minister has already announced the plan to build a smart Bangladesh. To build a smart Bangladesh, a smart society is needed, smart education is needed and smart governance is needed."  

Hailing the inauguration of the smart parking app as a dream come true, Abdul Momen, deputy commissioner of Gulshan traffic division, said that it will greatly help people park their cars in designated spaces.

Addressing the event, home ministry's Senior Secretary (Public Security Division) Mostafizur Rahman lauded the initiative, expressing his hope that the app would ease the traffic congestion in Gulshan area.

In his speech, Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam assured that the number of parking spaces will be increased gradually in the capital.

Designed to address the widespread parking issues, the "Smart on Street Parking" allows users to pay for parking on the roadside per hour, offering real-time information on available parking slots in Gulshan.

The app has been developed under a pilot programme, titled "DNCC Smart Parking," aiming to streamline the parking process and enhance convenience for car owners and drivers.

Initially, the smart parking service fee will not accept cash payments. Users can pay through mobile banking or bank cards via the app. Additionally, Point of Sales machines at the parking slots will facilitate fee payments.

For those without bank cards or mobile banking accounts, the authorities will issue parking cards, with charges deducted from these prepaid cards for parking services.

Md Mostafizur Rahman, assistant commissioner of Gulshan traffic zone, told The Business Standard that it is now its Dhaka dwellers' turn to use the facility appropriately.

"If we want a European standard traffic system, we have to act accordingly," he said.  

Authorities have also launched the country's first Parking Card with partnership from Mastercard and Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC to make the parking service accessible.

For parking through the app, cars, jeeps and microbuses will be charged Tk50 each for the first two hours, Tk50 for the third hour, and Tk100 each hour from the 4th hour onwards.  

Parking a motorcycle will cost Tk15 for the first 2 hours, Tk15 for the 3rd hour and Tk30 for every hour from the 4th hour onwards.

No fee will be required for parking after 10pm to 8am from Saturdays to Thursdays. Parking is totally free on Fridays and other public holidays.