Spotted illegal parking in Mumbai? Log complaints on BMC website, helpline

The civic body is planning to set up a special parking authority for the city, as per Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034, to regulate this issue.

A day after Bombay High Court asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police to act against illegally-parked vehicles, the civic body announced citizens could use its website (www.mcgm.gov.in) and a toll free helpline number (1916) to report vehicles flouting the parking rules.

At present, the BMC along with traffic police manage parking regulations in the city. (HT File Photo)

The BMC is planning to set up a special parking authority for the city, as per Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, to regulate this issue. “The parking authority will unify all parking enforcement activities and agencies like police, traffic and the BMC under one agency. The authority will look into the parking holistically and also increase the parking pool in the city,” said Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner. No date or timeline has been provided for the establishment of this new authority.

At present, the BMC along with traffic police manage parking regulations in the city.

BMC seizes illegally-parked and abandoned vehicles under Section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1884. Owners have 48 hours before a vehicle is transported by the BMC to its godown. A list of seized vehicles is sent to the local and traffic police and forwarded to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The police then check the list for missing or stolen cars. If nobody claims the vehicle within three months, the BMC auctions the vehicle under Section 490 (3) of the Act. If the owners come forward, they are charged a penalty by the civic body. Civic officials informed that, auction of vehicles will be completed by August 10.

Last year, the BMC had taken action against 2,231 vehicles. From January to October 2017, BMC collected a fine of Rs 1.38 crore.