Baghdad municipality denies authorizing sidewalk parking, plans new lots to ease congestion

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Municipality said Friday it has not granted any permits allowing sidewalks to be used as car parking areas and reaffirmed efforts to shut down unauthorized garages and remove public-space encroachments.

“All 105 officially licensed parking garages in the capital operate under legal and regulatory oversight,” the municipality said in a statement, noting that some recent media reports referred to fines imposed on businesses that permitted vehicles to park illegally on sidewalks.

The municipality also announced plans to construct 10 multi-story parking lots in different areas of the city to help meet demand and reduce strain on existing infrastructure.

In March, security forces arrested five individuals in the Karrada district for charging drivers to park on public roads and sidewalks without authorization. The arrests were part of a broader campaign launched in August 2024 against unlicensed parking operations, particularly in Mansour, where 36 people were detained for operating “fake garages” and blocking roads.

Traffic congestion remains a significant challenge in Baghdad, where residents often endure daily commutes of up to two hours. City infrastructure, initially designed for about 700,000 vehicles, now contends with an estimated 2.5 to 3 million cars. Factors contributing to gridlock include rapid population growth, inadequate public transit, and outdated traffic systems.