Shimla Introduces Smart Parking for Residents and Tourists with Real-Time Booking and Updates

The Municipal Corporation of Shimla is gearing up to launch a smart parking facility designed to simplify parking for both locals and tourists. This new digital system will make it easy to find and reserve parking spots in 11 key lots across the city, offering an online booking option that travelers can access from anywhere.

To support this service, the corporation has developed a dedicated mobile app that connects to smart CCTV cameras in each parking area. These cameras will relay real-time information about parking availability directly to the app, so visitors and residents entering Shimla from Kalka or other areas can instantly see if spaces are available or full, helping them make plans in advance.

Additionally, local residents can use the app to pay for parking online, making the entire process more seamless. The Municipal Corporation is partnering with an international tech company to bring this smart system to life, with final discussions with the firm set to happen soon.

At launch, the system will cover 11 main parking facilities in Shimla, with plans to expand to other locations later. Supported by funding from the European Union, which has contributed approximately ₹3 crore, the project is also set to integrate yellow-line parking spaces in the next phase.

This smart parking initiative aims to relieve Shimla’s long-standing parking issues, especially during peak tourist seasons, while enhancing traffic management across the city. By incorporating technology, Shimla is taking a step toward becoming a more visitor-friendly and accessible destination, ultimately making the city more enjoyable for everyone.