Pay-and-park policy optional, say officials

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that the pay-and-park policy is not compulsory for residents. It will be implemented only after residents apply for parking slots outside their buildings, said civic officials. Meanwhile, residents of south Mumbai have decided to form a draft committee to oppose the new policy.

After starting the implementation of controversial pay and park policy in A-ward from April 2, the residents have slammed the move, saying that rates are very high and are not affordable. The residents have claimed that it would rob them of the parking space outside their buildings. However, civic officials have said that the scheme is entirely optional and would be implemented only after residents apply for it.

“The scheme will be available only for residents of buildings that are located on that particular road. Residents whose house are located on other roads will not be allowed to apply for it,” said A-ward assistant commissioner Kiran Dighavkar.

According to the scheme, if a building does not have enough parking space; its residents or society or federation can apply to the concerned ward office for parking their vehicles permanently during night time on the road opposite to the building.

Following this, the ward office will seek a no-objection certificate from the traffic police, and after obtaining it, the civic officials will ask residents to pay annual parking charges according to the category of the road.

After receiving the charges, the civic body will reserve the space for residents’ vehicles for the given period by marking the spot with yellow stripes.