Ahmedabad: In a major initiative aimed at improving traffic management and curbing unauthorized roadside parking, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced property tax relief for commercial establishments that provide free parking facilities to citizens.

The initiative forms part of AMC’s “Comprehensive Policy 2026 to Transform Traffic, Parking, Encroachment, Road Safety and Cattle Management Across the City.” Under the scheme, commercial units that allow citizens to use their parking spaces free of charge will receive property tax exemption proportionate to the parking area made available.

According to AMC, increasing access to private parking facilities will help reduce roadside vehicle parking and ease traffic congestion across the city. Circular instructions regarding the scheme have already been issued by the civic body.

The benefit will be extended to shopping malls, theatres, video parlours, multiplexes, hotels, party plots, community halls, gyms, hospitals, social and educational institutions, as well as all non-residential units located along National Highways, Ring Roads and State Highways.

However, only those establishments that offer parking completely free of cost will qualify for the tax exemption. Commercial units charging any parking fee, refusing to make their parking facilities accessible to citizens, or failing to comply with AMC’s digital parking requirements will not be eligible for the benefit.

To avail of the exemption, eligible units must submit the “Parking Availability and Sharing Consent Form” available on AMC’s official website and provide consent to share their parking facilities with the public.

Applicants will also have to declare the total parking area in terms of ECS (Equivalent Car Space), where 1 ECS will be calculated as 13.75 square metres (2.5 m × 5.5 m). In addition, establishments must appoint a responsible person to manage parking operations and update details of parked vehicles on AMC’s official “AmadaPark” application to enable motorists to access real-time parking availability information.

The policy further makes it mandatory for participating establishments to install directional signage and clearly marked parking bays.

AMC has also clarified that commercial establishments opting not to avail of the exemption must apply through the Self-Assessment Module on the corporation’s official website within 60 days, so that property tax on parking areas can be assessed at the prescribed rates. DeshGujarat