Monday, Apr 29, 2024 | Last Update : 01:44 AM IST
BMC may relax parking penalty for 2-wheelers
The civic body claimed that hefty fines’ purpose is to decongest roads, inculcate road discipline and also encourage people to use PPLs.
Mumbai: In the wake of public uproar over its stringent ‘no parking’ policy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to soften its stance and take action only against heavy commercial vehicles.
Under stage 1 of the new policy, which was implemented on July 7, parking two-wheelers and heavy vehicles within a radius of 500 metres of public parking lots (PPL) is punishable with fines ranging from Rs 5,000 up to Rs 15,000. However, dealing with trucks and tempos, which occupy relatively more road space than two-wheelers, will be the primary focus of the BMC, officials said.
The civic body claimed that hefty fines’ purpose is to decongest roads, inculcate road discipline and also encourage people to use PPLs.
The BMC has 29 PPLs across the city, which can accommodate around 40,000 vehicles. However, people still prefer to park vehicles on the road. In stage two, new ‘no parking’ zones, roads will be marked by the BMC with help out traffic police.
There was a protest in G-South ward (Lower Parel-Elphinstone Road area), six PPLs are available, last week over the collection of Rs 5,000 from two-wheeler riders.
The protesters had gathered outside a PPL complaining that their residential areas have no nearby PPLs and that it was difficult for them to travel to and from the PPLs.
The people also claimed that the Parel, Elphinstone, Lalbaug have the most two-wheelers and the fine was too exorbitant. In light of this, the BMC is likely to go easy on bikes and scooters and action will be taken on priority basis against trucks, tempos, cars and rickshaws.
The usage of PPLs has seen a comparative increase since the implementation of the policy. From July 7 to 16, Rs 31.56 lakh was collected from the errant owners of 349 four-wheelers, 22 three-wheelers, 252 two-wheelers.
As per the rule, if the owner does not turn up to collect his vehicle, the penalty will rise by Rs 110 per day for 30 days. If the owner does not collect the vehicle even after 30 days, it will be auctioned.
