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In India, large gatherings often spiral into logistical nightmares, Park+ is rewriting the rulebook with its tech-driven approach to parking management. Amit Lakhotia, Founder of Park+, shares how the company is set to manage over 5 lakh parking spots across 30+ locations at the Maha Kumbh using FASTag-enabled smart systems, AI, and IoT.
In this candid conversation with Dataquest, Amit unveils the tech stack, the operational challenges that Park+ faced, and its vision for simple car ownership experiences, one event at a time. Excerpts:
Park+ aims to ease parking anxiety at Maha Kumbh with FASTag-enabled smart parking. How does this initiative align with your broader mission of enhancing car ownership?
Our mission is to simplify and enhance car ownership. A car is often the second most expensive asset for an individual, yet daily challenges like parking, valet services, car servicing, and car washes remain largely unorganized.
Our goal is to address these issues through technology-driven solutions. For example, during last year's Surajkund Mela, we managed parking for nearly 1 lakh cars over 17 days. Maha Kumbh is on a much larger scale, with vehicles ranging from cycles to trucks and buses, covering 30-35 km and over 30 parking locations. Some parking zones stretch for several kilometers.
We digitize these large, scattered parking areas using FASTag-based or pass-based systems. This enables real-time tracking of parking availability, occupancy rates, and traffic flow. Our systems help both administrators and visitors identify available parking spots quickly.
Additionally, our B2C app allows users to locate their parked vehicles easily, while predictive analytics help forecast parking demand based on historical data.
Could you explain the core technology stack powering this system and how you ensure real-time synchronization of parking availability and payments, especially during peak times?
Our technology operates on both B2C and B2B platforms. The B2C side features a user-friendly app where all parking locations are listed, enabling easy discovery and navigation. On the B2B side, we provide dashboards for parking operators, attendants, supervisors, cashiers, and even cleaning staff. This ensures seamless coordination of tasks like managing valet operations, tracking attendance, and overseeing cash collections.
The system synchronizes real-time data on parking inventory, payment status, and user activity. About 30% of payments are processed through FASTag, significantly reducing manual intervention. However, even with automation, human support remains critical—attendants still help manage vehicle entries, especially during sudden traffic surges, like the recent influx of 50,000 vehicles in a single day at Maha Kumbh.
How do you address onboarding for non-FASTag users or pilgrims unfamiliar with digital payments, including those arriving by cycle, truck, or bus?
For FASTag users, the process is fully automated—entry and exit barriers operate seamlessly, and payments are auto-deducted. For non-FASTag users, especially those on cycles, buses, or trucks, our parking attendants play a crucial role.
These attendants guide users to appropriate parking spots and assist with manual payments when needed. For digitally savvy users, our app facilitates easy navigation. Additionally, cash collection is tightly managed: if, for example, ₹25,000 is collected in cash over six hours, the system triggers alerts for collection, reconciliation, and banking. This hybrid approach ensures efficient management across diverse user groups while maintaining system integrity.
How are AI and IoT technologies performing under the anticipated high footfall, particularly in automating processes like entry/exit, real-time availability monitoring, and parking allocation optimization?
The integration of AI and IoT technologies has been pivotal in streamlining operations. Cameras with advanced detection capabilities identify vehicle types—whether it's a bicycle, bike, or car—which helps set accurate pricing models. For known partners, the system recognizes vehicles and personalizes the experience, such as greeting drivers by name, creating a more engaging interaction.
Moreover, AI algorithms predict fill rates, manage traffic flow, and optimize parking space utilization based on real-time data. While forecasting isn’t flawless, we aim for a 70-75% accuracy rate, which significantly enhances efficiency.
With an expected influx of over 25 lakh vehicles in 41 days, how are you ensuring system reliability, especially during connectivity issues or unforeseen challenges like power outages?
We've implemented robust strategies to manage potential disruptions. For instance, we work closely with telecom providers like Airtel to maintain seamless internet connectivity. However, real-time problem-solving remains critical. During a recent power outage, we quickly mobilized support teams and alternative power sources.
Unexpected scenarios, like heavy rains affecting equipment, have been addressed through adaptive solutions. For example, when EV charging points faced issues, we coordinated with local authorities to establish temporary charging setups. These real-time adjustments ensure operational continuity.
How do you ensure the platform’s cybersecurity, especially concerning sensitive user data like payment and location information?
We prioritize user privacy and data security. As a transaction-driven company, we don’t monetize user data. For instance, entry/exit data is automatically deleted after three months. Drawing from our experience in the payment sector, we've implemented stringent encryption protocols and data management practices, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
Considering the diverse demographic of Maha Kumbh visitors, how has the app been localized in terms of language, design, and functionality?
Currently, the app focuses on basic, universally understood functionalities, similar to platforms like Paytm. While we acknowledge the importance of language diversity, our immediate priority has been ensuring system stability at scale. As operations stabilize, we plan to introduce localized features to enhance accessibility.
How are you balancing investments in EV infrastructure while maintaining efficient parking services for traditional vehicles? Are renewable energy sources considered for powering EV stations?
Given the temporary nature of the event and infrastructure constraints, we've prioritized basic EV charging facilities over renewable energy integration. However, we're actively exploring sustainable solutions for future events as infrastructure capabilities evolve.
What has been your experience collaborating with the Kumbh Mela authorities and other stakeholders? Have there been challenges in integrating technology with existing infrastructure?
The collaboration has been remarkably positive. The government’s proactive and tech-savvy approach has facilitated smooth integration of our systems. Beyond parking management, we’ve also focused on enhancing the overall visitor experience with clean washrooms, accessible food stalls, and rest areas, ensuring holistic comfort for attendees.
How do you plan to scale the learnings and technology from this initiative to other cities or large-scale events in India?
This project has provided invaluable insights into managing high-density traffic and large-scale events. Our goal is to adapt these learnings to other urban settings and events, leveraging our scalable technology framework to enhance mobility solutions across India.