Tackling Dhaka’s ongoing parking challenges just got smarter! The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) recently introduced the DNCC Smart Parking app. The exciting pilot initiative was launched on November 8 at the DNCC’s Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan 2. So, hopefully struggling to find a parking spot in North Dhaka will soon be a thing of the past with the user-friendly DNCC Smart Parking app. This innovative solution aims to make parking hassle-free and convenient for everyone in the city. With the smart on-street parking system, users can easily locate nearby available parking spaces, reserve them in advance, and manage payments seamlessly—all through a few simple clicks on the app. This app is expected to reduce parking stress and facilitate a hassle-free experience with the convenience of the new smart on-street parking system.  Key Features of the DNCC Smart Parking App The ‘DNCC Smart Parking’ app comes with several convenient features. Firstly, users can effortlessly identify available parking spaces in their neighbourhood, making it quick and easy to find a spot. Additionally, the app allows for advance reservation of parking spaces, providing users with the convenience of securing a spot ahead of time and ensuring a hassle-free arrival. Moreover, handling payments is a seamless experience, thanks to the various online payment options integrated into the app. This functionality not only simplifies the payment process but also adds a layer of convenience for users utilising the parking services. Read more: DNCC launches ‘Smart on Street Parking’ scheme to stop illegal parking How to Use DNCC Smart Parking App? If you are interested in using the app, you can easily download it from either Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once you have downloaded and opened the app, you will find an option to ‘Create an Account.’ Simply fill in your personal and vehicle details and verify your identity through a one-time password (OTP), and you are all set to access the service. When parking your vehicle, make sure to park it either parallel or at a 60-degree angle in the designated spots marked in white on the sidewalk. To validate your parking, you can use the app or a smart parking card. Once you have completed the registration process, simply open the app and pick the street where you want to park. Tap on the ‘Parking’ button, select the duration of your parking, and choose your preferred location. The app will then display the parking fees, which you can conveniently pay using various online payment methods. Once the payment is processed, the parking service will be activated, allowing you to park your vehicle securely. This service enables users to pay for roadside parking on an hourly basis, providing up-to-the-minute information on the availability of parking spaces in Gulshan. In the beginning, the smart parking service won’t accept cash payments. Users can choose to pay through mobile banking or bank cards using the app. Read more: Car Parking Multiplayer Games: Top 10 Free Simulators for Android, iOS Alternatively, fee payments can be made at the parking slots using Point of Sale (POS) machines. For individuals without bank cards or mobile banking accounts, authorities will provide parking cards named “Smart Parking Card.” Charges for parking services will be deducted from these prepaid cards.

People found parking their vehicles on the road haphazardly, should be punished instantly, said LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Monday. It is quite common in the city that many shops were set up occupying roads and vehicles were seen parked haphazardly which is the main reason behind traffic congestion, he said. Tajul revealed this information while speaking at a dialogue on the title of ‘Unbearable tailback: What’s the solution?’ organized by Dhaka Utility Reporter’s Association (DURA) at Dhaka Reporters Unity. The minister also urged the law enforcement agencies to go tough on it. Also read: DU struggles to manage parking problems on the campus Traffic congestion is common in many countries and many of these have managed to reduce it but it is difficult for us, he said adding “We have to identify the problem and search for a solution. Though we are not sitting idle, we are working on it.” He also urged the authorities concerned to take steps to encourage people to use public transport as the number of private vehicles is increasing gradually. “It is not possible for one organisation to resolve the traffic jam problems alone and if we work together it can be possible to reach its desired goal. The participation of common people is needed in this regard,” said Tajul. It is needed to regulate the population in Dhaka city, he also said. The government is approving a Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and through it Dhaka will be expanded, he added. Also read: No respite from illegal parking in city Replying to a question on whether any steps would be taken to hand over the traffic management to two city corporations, LGRD minister said “The two city mayors are interested in working more and we want to see whether they have the capacity to manage the traffic system.”

The century-old Dhaka University has plenty of problems: shortage of dormitory rooms for students, houses for teachers, poor water supply and waste management. Add to the list the parking woes. Cars, motorcycles and cycles, parked on the road in front of the Arts Building and around it, are a common scenario. For lack of officially designated spaces many are forced to park their vehicles haphazardly. "Usually, the university administration does not permit us to park here but exceptions are made in case of special guests and visitors," car driver Abu Hanif, who parked his car in front of Arts Building, said. Also read: All DU students to get smart ID cards by next February, say authorities Asked about car parking at Shadow, a corridor beside Arts Building where a space is allotted for parking, Abu Hanif said the space is too small to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles. Another driver, Saiff Kader said, "It is a suitable space for us to park here. But the university administration does not allow us to stay here for long." "Sometimes they file complaints too", he added.