Delhi: – At a time when banks across the country are promoting digital services and claiming to be customer-friendly, the lack of parking facilities at several bank branches has emerged as a serious concern for the public. In numerous cities and towns, banks are functioning without providing sufficient parking spaces for customers’ vehicles. This has not only caused inconvenience to visitors but also led to traffic congestion and frequent accidents.
The Bigger Picture
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 2024 report, over 1.55 lakh bank branches operate across the country.
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Nearly 45% of these are located in urban areas, where the density of vehicles is highest.
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An independent survey (Urban Consumer Index, 2023) found that 65% of customers face parking problems when visiting bank branches.
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In metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, the situation is even worse. The Delhi Transport Survey (2022) revealed that 70% of bank branches in the capital operate without parking facilities.
Case Studies
Karol Bagh, Delhi
Karol Bagh, a key commercial hub, houses dozens of bank branches. However, around 80% of them lack dedicated parking. Customers are forced to leave their vehicles on the roadside, resulting in daily traffic jams.
One customer shared:
“I just came to deposit a cheque, but it took me 20 minutes to find a parking spot. On top of that, the police fined me for illegal parking.”
Fraser Road, Patna
This busy stretch in Bihar’s capital has nearly 20 nationalized and private banks, but only four branches offer partial parking. As a result, traffic chaos is common. Patna Traffic Police confirmed that in 2023 alone, 3,200 challans for illegal parking were issued on Fraser Road, mostly outside bank branches.
MG Road, Indore
Despite Indore being part of the Smart City Mission, many branches on MG Road operate without parking arrangements. The nearest multi-level parking facilities are far from banks, forcing customers to park on roadsides.
Voices of Discontent
Customers say that while banks profit from their deposits, they fail to provide even basic amenities.
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Sanjay Verma, Businessman, Delhi: “We handle transactions worth crores in our accounts, yet banks cannot provide parking space. Is this what they call customer service?”
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Neelam Devi, Homemaker, Patna: “Whenever I visit a bank, I have to drop my children on the roadside. It’s unsafe. At least 5–10 vehicle slots should be provided at every branch.”
Concerns of Police & Authorities
Traffic police officials state that illegal parking outside banks is a daily challenge.
A Lucknow traffic officer said:
“We issue challans every day, but customers are helpless. They have no choice because parking doesn’t exist in the first place.”
Municipal authorities point out that parking is mandatory under building regulations, but many banks operate out of old or rented premises where such provisions are absent.
Expert Opinions
Urban planners and banking experts believe stricter policies are necessary.
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Prof. Anand Mishra (Urban Planning Expert, Delhi University): “Banks are public institutions with heavy daily footfall. Operating without parking only worsens urban chaos.”
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M.K. Singh (Former Bank Official): “Banks focus on profit, ignoring customer convenience. Parking should be part of their service model.”
Possible Solutions
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Stricter regulations by RBI & municipalities – Branch licenses should mandate parking spaces; penalties for non-compliance.
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Building owner accountability – Landlords of rented premises should ensure parking availability.
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Smart parking apps – Customers can be guided to the nearest available parking.
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Promotion of digital banking – Encourage customers to use online services for small transactions.
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Cluster-based parking hubs – Municipalities should build multi-level parking near high-density banking areas.
The absence of parking facilities at banks is no longer just a minor inconvenience—it has become a serious urban traffic and safety issue. Case studies from Delhi, Patna, and Indore highlight how widespread and pressing the problem is.
It is high time that banks, property owners, and local administrations work together to provide solutions. Customers, who entrust their money to these institutions, deserve not only financial security but also a safe and convenient environment when visiting a branch.
