MCGM app to help find nearest public parking lot

Mumbai: Mumbaikars can now locate public parking lots (PPLs) through their mobile on the MCGM 24/7 application. The Briha-nmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started the facility on the app to help people locate the nearest PPL from anywhere along with getting directions towards it and information on its timings, parking fees and types of vehicles that can be parked. The PPLs that can be located include the BMC-owned ones and Brihanmumbai Electri-city Supply and Transport (BEST) depots.

The BMC, as part of its new “no parking” policy implemented from July 7 this year, has disallowed parking within a 500metre radius of PPLs, levying fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 for unauthorised parking. The objective is to decongest roads and encourage the use of PPLs.

At present, the BMC has 146 PPLs across the city, including 26 multi-storeyed PPLs with a total parking capacity of around 38,000 to 40,000 vehicles. Adding to the city’s parking capacity, the BEST, too, recently passed a proposal to allow its depots for parking private vehicles at nominal rates.

At a later stage, “no parking” roads will be marked. A senior BMC officer said, “At a later stage, action will be taken for parking within a 1km radius of PPLs. Since the inception of the new policy, usage of public parking lots has increased. As people can now locate PPLs through mobile, their usage will further increase and help in decongesting roads.”

However, civic activist James John said that the mobile app will not be beneficial for all. “Not all people are comfortable with mobile apps. For the convenience of auto and rickshaw drivers, signages should be put up at more prominent places,” he said.