Residential parking policy starts on pilot basis in SoBo

Mumbai: After a six-month delay, the residential parking policy is finally being implemented in the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had recently received the traffic police’s nod for 27 parking applications in south Mumbai. However, three applications had to be rejected due to the ongoing construction work for Metro-3.     

“We have received a traffic nod for the parking applications, the municipal commissioner will hand over the final approval from BMC, post which letters will be distributed to the residents and parking will be issued,” said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner of ‘A’ ward.

The policy has been started on a pilot basis in South Mumbai, and if it proves to be successful the civic body may implement it in other administrative wards of the city.  “We gave the traffic nod for 27 parking lots recently, the decision came after much study regarding the traffic flow of the area. However, three parking spaces have been denied parking because of metro works,” said Amitesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

According to the policy, residents who do not have sufficient parking space in their society can apply to the civic body to avail of a parking space, which will be allotted from 8 pm to 8 am on an annual permit. The charges range from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200.

Under the policy, the city is divided into three categories — A, B and C — to categorise parking rates. Thus, residents of affluent areas like South Mumbai would be charged Rs 60 per hour while citizens from the Western suburbs would pay as little as Rs 20 per hour.