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Pay and Park policy- BMC gets applications for only 125 cars
A month after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a pilot project for its pay-and-park policy in A ward (Churchgate, Fort, Colaba and parts of
A month after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a pilot project for its pay-and-park policy in A ward (Churchgate, Fort, Colaba and parts of Cuffe Parade), it has received only 125 applications for parking spaces. According to a source, most applicants are from Kala Ghoda and Nariman Point.
The A ward has a population of nearly 1.50 lakh and also sees a floating population of 8 lakh daily. The area is considered a prime location for commercial complexes, government buildings and sees heavy traffic. Under the policy, the area falls under ‘A’ category — where the parking rates are the highest.
Residents have been opposing the policy for more than a year and have had many meetings with the local ward officer and municipal commissioner to stall the policy. However, the BMC has made it clear that the policy is optional and those who don’t want permits on public roads shouldn’t apply. Under the residential scheme, if you live in a housing society that does not have enough parking spaces, you can avail of a spot near your housing society.
One will have to submit an application form along with residential proof to the ward office to get a parking spot for 12 hours (8pm to 8am) on yearly permits. Parking charges will have to be paid in advance. For permits, citizens will have to pay a monthly charge ranging from Rs600 to Rs1, 800 depending on the road.
Housing-society security guards will be given the responsibility to guard the parking spots at night, which will be marked with yellow paint for resident permits.
“We have forwarded all the applications and the spots asked by citizens to the traffic police for no-objection certificates. After receiving the applications, ward officers will survey the area. Following this, spots will be finalised,” said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner.
The policy, which had been stalled since 2015 because of residents’ opposition, was approved by the state government before the civic elections this year.
