GST impact: Pay more for illegal parking in Mumbai

The 18% GST has pushed the amount for four-wheelers to Rs672, from the earlier Rs660. Two-wheeler owners will have to shell out Rs436, from the earlier Rs430

Parked your vehicle at a spot not meant for it? Be prepared to pay more, thanks to the goods and services tax.

According to sources, more than 30,000 four-wheeler owners and 45,000 two-wheeler owners are fined every month for illegal parking. (File)

The 18% GST has pushed the amount for four-wheelers to Rs672, from the earlier Rs660. Two-wheeler owners will have to shell out Rs436, from the earlier Rs430.

According to sources, more than 30,000 four-wheeler owners and 45,000 two-wheeler owners are fined every month for illegal parking.

Amitesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police, traffic, told HT the fine for illegal parking is the same as before (Rs200). “GST has been imposed on charges for towing vehicles,” he said.

According to sources in traffic police, towing charges were increased last year after the introduction of new towing vans. While the charges for four-wheelers increased to Rs400 from Rs200, for two-wheelers the hike was from Rs100 to Rs200.

Read: Mumbai motorists paid Rs10.4 crore as fine for flouting traffic norms, Rs2 crore for parking offences alone

“The operator of a crane-mounted van had to unlock the vehicle to tow locked four-wheelers. The process was time-consuming and would lead to traffic snarls.The new hydraulic vans can tow the vehicles within minutes,” sources said.

Before the implementation of GST, vehicle owners had to pay 15% service tax (Rs60 for four-wheelers and Rs30 for two-wheelers) on towing services.

“This brought the amount, a total of the fine, towing charges and service tax, to Rs660 for four-wheelers and Rs430 for two-wheelers,” said Kumar.

A record 98,000 four-wheelers were penalised last month in a special drive to decongest roads by clamping down on illegal parking. A majority of violators were private bus and water tanker drivers, said Kumar. “Their owners have been asked to use authorised parking spots to avoid further penalty. Our drive will intensify in the coming days,” said Kumar.