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Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd will deliver a novel project aimed at addressing the city’s parking woes. The fully automated multi-level parking system is constructed in the heart of Hyderabad at Nampally. Built under HMRL’s supervision through a PPP model by the firm Novum, the project uses Germany’s advanced PALIS technology for a fully automated puzzle parking system. Constructed on 2,000 square yards of HMRL land under a 50-year concession, the complex comprises 15 floors, including three basements and seven upper floors, making up 10 dedicated parking levels. In addition, five floors have been allocated for commercial activities to make this project financially viable. It can accommodate 250 cars and 200 two-wheelers. NVS Reddy, Managing Director – Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, responded to questions posed by TrafficInfratech on the innovative parking system at Nampally.
The Nampally MLP showcases how advanced technology, strategic planning, and public-private collaboration can solve urban challenges. It sets a precedent for scalable, smart infrastructure across India’s growing cities.”
— NVS Reddy
What prompted the development of a high-tech automated parking complex in Nampally?
Rapid urbanization and rising vehicle ownership in Hyderabad have led to severe traffic congestion, especially during peak hours and festive seasons. Traditional roadside parking further worsens the traffic flow. To address this, HMRL initiated a pilot project to explore vertical, automated parking solutions near Metro stations – bridging the last-mile connectivity gap and optimizing limited urban land.
Why was Nampally chosen for this Multi-Level Parking (MLP) project?
Nampally is a dense commercial area with limited parking and high footfall. It is strategically located near Nampally and Gandhi Bhavan Metro stations, surrounded by markets, hotels, government offices and the railway station. The site lacked pedestrian infrastructure, which HMRL improved alongside the MLP. The facility is also planned in such a way that the MLP complex can be interconnected with the railway terminal stations, metro stations and other important building complexes through skywalks for future needs
Is the MLP part of Hyderabad’s multimodal transport strategy?
The long-term vision for seamless travel and commuter centric facilities prompted the government to undertake development of an Integrated Automated Multi Level Parking (MLP) Complex at Nampally in PPP mode and select a private entity M/s Novum Nampally Parking Private Limited. It supports “park and ride” for daily commuters and large events like Numaish, which attracts over 3 million visitors annually. The facility enhances accessibility for government employees, shoppers and tourists reinforcing Hyderabad’s multimodal vision.
What is PALIS technology and why was it selected?
PALIS, developed by a German firm, is a globally proven automated parking system. It provides for 100% redundancy – which means, even if half the system is shut down, the entire parking system will work but with lesser efficiency. This system can also remember the pattern of arrivals and departures of regular users and can keep their cars closer to I/O terminals for park-out few minutes before expected departure times. It has pallet-free design for lower maintenance and user safety and turbo lifts and transporters for high-speed vertical and horizontal movement.
The system has smart memory to anticipate frequent users’ park-out times and 100% redundancy ensuring continued operation even during partial system outages. Hyderabad’s MLP uses Trans PALIS, ideal for large rectangular plots.
What are the technical specifications of the Nampally MLP?
The plot size is 0.5 acre with three cellars and 12 floors (15 in total). Parking capacity is for 250 cars and 200 two-wheelers. The IO terminals have four units with turntables and sensors and two horizontal movers as transporters. The parking system provides two high-speed turbo lifts (1.5–1.75 m/s) and the floors optimized for vehicle type (SUV/Sedan) to reduce building height and cost.
Operations
The automated puzzle parking system operates entirely via sensors with zero human intervention. It automatically categorizes vehicles—SUVs, sedans, and small cars—and parks them on designated floors. Unlike mechanical parking systems, this system works without pallets, making parking smoother and more efficient. The entry and exit terminals are spacious and smart, with flat turn-tables that cater to the needs of elderly individuals, women and differently-abled users. Vehicles can be left on the turntable at any angle, and the turntable rotates 360 degrees to position them correctly.
The user experience is designed to be seamless. Upon arrival, users receive an entry ticket with a QR code (smart card) that guides them to the terminal. Swiping the card at the terminal gate opens the gate. The user then keeps the car on the turntable, applies the handbrake, turns off the engine and exits. Swiping the card outside initiates the parking process. The system scans the vehicle, classifies it and parks it on its own accordingly. To retrieve the vehicle, the user pays the fee at the counter, swipes the card at the I/O terminal and the vehicle returns to the user from the parking platform.
Commercial model and financial challenges
To ensure viability, of the total 15 floors, five were allocated for commercial use, subsidizing parking fees. However, due to RBI guidelines, the project was ineligible for infrastructure financing, forcing the developer to rely on high-interest mortgage loans. COVID raised construction costs by 25%, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted electronics supply chains and shipping logistics. Customs duties on imported systems added further strain.