Kolkata, 01 September (H.S.) : The West Bengal government will intensify action against illegal parking and encroachment on public roads, with plans to deploy artificial intelligence-assisted CCTV cameras and vehicle data to identify traffic and parking violations, state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said on Tuesday.

Paul said vehicle information available with the Transport Department could be integrated into the enforcement system to help identify vehicles involved in violations.

The minister also outlined plans for an app-based system that would help motorists locate authorised parking spaces and promote more organised use of public roads. The government has additionally introduced night-time parking charges from Tuesday as part of a broader drive to regulate parking and keep roads and pavements accessible.

“We will not allow illegal parking. Roads cannot be treated as private property. If there is a designated parking space, vehicles have to be parked there,” Paul said.

Explaining the proposed parking application, she said motorists would be able to identify authorised parking locations before leaving their vehicles, thereby reducing random parking on busy roads.

“The objective is to make parking organised and transparent. People should know where they can park and what they have to pay,” the minister said.

Paul said the government was conducting a survey and mapping available parking spaces. Police commissioners and urban local bodies have also been asked to identify suitable locations, including areas that could be used for night-time parking.

The exercise covers the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies. Parking and no-parking zones will be clearly marked with road markings and reflectors. Parking attendants will supervise designated areas and initiate action against violations.

“Parking attendants will ensure that vehicles are not parked illegally. If someone violates the rules, a fine will be imposed,” Paul said.

The minister also raised concerns over commercial and app-based vehicles waiting on roads for passengers and garages using public roads as parking spaces.

“Look at places such as Salt Lake and Rajabazar. In some areas, almost half the road is taken up by vehicles. App cabs and other commercial vehicles like trucks and mini-trucks cannot simply remain parked on roads. Garages also cannot use public roads as their private parking space,” she said.

Paul said the government would use technology to strengthen enforcement and ensure greater compliance with parking regulations.

She also urged citizens to report illegal parking and other civic violations through the “Mukhomukhi” platform, which enables residents to contact the UDMA minister directly.

The proposed measures are part of the state government’s wider effort to improve traffic management, regulate parking and ensure that public roads and pavements remain accessible to pedestrians.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh