Watch out, South Mumbai residents, BMC may rent out your parking spot to someone else

Under the BMC’s scheme, if you live in a Mumbai society that does not have enough parking spaces, you can apply for a spot near your complex

South Mumbai residents, don’t be surprised if you see someone else parking in your spot.

Though 1.5 lakh people live in Mumbai, just 125 applications for a parking spot are submitted every month, said officials. (HT File Photo)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation may rent out spaces on roads to those willing to pay for them, after SoBo residents failed to respond to the civic body’s request, asking residents to pay to park their cars on the street at night.

Under the civic body’s residential scheme, if you live in a housing society that does not have enough parking spaces, you can apply for a spot near your society. All you need to do is submit an application form, along with proof of your residence, to the ward office, which will give you an annual permit for a spot that you can use from 8pm to 8am. You will have to pay the fees — which range from Rs600 to Rs1,800 a month — in advance.

Applying for a parking spot is optional. Though 1.5 lakh people live in Mumbai, just 125 applications are submitted every month, said officials.

The parking policy, which was stalled in 2015, was approved by the government before the 2017 civic elections.The BMC has implemented it in A ward, which covers south Mumbai, Churchgate, Nariman Point and Cuffe parade. However, the high parking rates have angered citizen groups, which said they do not want to shell out huge amounts for a spot where they can only park for 12 hours every night.