Mumbai residents, BMC may not address your concerns on new parking policy

Mumbai city news: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said it was not keen on moving the house again to address citizens’ concerns.

Citizens’ suggestions on the new parking policy — including increasing parking hours and reducing charges — may not see the light of day.

Under the new policy, the BMC collects parking charges for the entire year in one go. (Hindustan Times)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said it was not keen on moving the house again to address citizens’ concerns.

Unhappy with the BMC’s response, residents are also going to file a public interest litigation in the Bombay high court in June.

Last month, they approached the BMC with their suggestions.

These citizens are from various organisations located at Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Marine Drive where the policy is being implemented on a pilot basis.

Citizens had demanded a 24x7 slot instead of 12 hour under the new policy. They had also asked the BMC to reduce charges for the residential permit from Rs1,800 a month to Rs500.

Under the new policy, the BMC collects parking charges for the entire year in one go.

BMC officials said citizens’ concerns related to the slot-timings, one of which is from 8pm to 8am, and lower parking rates could not be addressed as the resolution has been passed by the corporation.

“We will have to move the corporation again for making amendments to the policy,” a civic official said.

With an aim to reduce congestion on roads, the BMC has increased parking lot rates by up to 300% and will also charge residents for parking on streets.

With the increased rates, the wants to discourage private transport and encourage public transport.

In many areas in the city, cars are parked on roads, which hampers the flow of traffic.

The policy includes a residential permit scheme, for which Island city residents will have to pay up to Rs1,800 a month for parking their vehicle on the road.

One of the suggestions also included creating a hyper-local group consisting of citizens and officials who will monitor the scheme on a monthly basis. However, residents have been objecting to the policy for ambiguity as how it should be implemented. Munaf Kapadia, a resident from Colaba, said, “We tried our best to make civic officials understand but ultimately it is their decision. We will try to see what is the next best option.”