AI-based Chandigarh smart parking project in limbo

Four months after starting the process, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to finalise the terms and conditions of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to be floated for a smart AI-based parking system in the city.

In a significant move to transform the city’s urban mobility and parking landscape, the MC had in May decided to introduce an AI-based parking system. A Smart Parking RFP Committee, headed by councillor Saurabh Joshi, was constituted to finalise the RFP.

The project aims to introduce intelligent, tech-driven parking systems that ease congestion, reduce commuter stress and improve public space utilisation. To ensure a focused and streamlined approach, Joshi had formed five sub-committees for RFP drafting and documentation, technical feasibility and design, financial modelling and PPP structure, legal compliance and safeguards and stakeholder engagement and public feedback. The teams included experts from IT, engineering, finance and law, supported by field officials and stakeholder representatives.

The committee also held meetings with the representatives of companies. The MC had invited companies and local contractors for discussion for the preparation of the RFP. The companies gave many suggestions, including boom barriers integrated with FASTag technology. FASTag-enabled barriers can automatically deduct packing fees from the user’s prepaid account, reducing the need for manual payment collection and eliminating delays.

The committee submitted the draft report to the MC next month, proposing the implementation of Smart AI-Based Parking Project across 89 key locations, but the RFP has not been finalised yet.

It was decided that the final draft of the RFP will be presented in the General House meeting for final approval, but it has not been brought before the House yet. After the last contractor left the work two years ago, the MC has been running the parking lots with no additional facility.

Saurabh Joshi, chairman of the committee, said despite 20 committee meetings, there had been an unexplained delay in presenting the draft before the General House. He said, “The crucial question is who is obstructing this vital project?” He said AI-based parking was necessary to use real-time data to check loopholes, curb corruption and improve service.

Charanjiv Singh, chairman of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said the MC must finalise the tender as early as possible as the delay was causing loss to the civic body. The residents are also not getting the smart parking facilities despite paying charges.