Mumbai: BMC Allows 'Free Parking' At Key Spots In A Ward Until New Contractors Get Appointed For 24 Locations

Mumbai: Following a sting operation that revealed a parking racket in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda area and whistleblower complaints alleging that nearly 60 per cent of the city’s pay-and-park sites are controlled by a mafia, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken decisive action. The civic body decided not to renew contracts with 24 private parking contractors operating in the A ward, which includes some of south Mumbai’s most prominent locations.

In a major shift, BMC will permit free parking at 10 of these 24 locations once current contracts expire. The objective is to rebuild public trust and eliminate illegal practices by parking operators, such as overcharging or collecting parking fees without authorisation. Among the sites that have already moved to free parking is Jamnalal Bajaj Lane, where the contract expired on May 24. The area around Eros Cinema will follow on May 31, along with eight other sites in the island city.

New Contractors To Be Appointed To Handle Parking

An official from A ward stated that the civic body is initiating spot quotations to appoint new contractors for all 24 sites. Until the new contracts are finalised through the tender process, parking at these locations will be free of cost. The A ward, known for its heritage structures and high footfall due to government offices, commercial centers, and tourist attractions, experiences significant vehicular congestion.

According to a Hindustan Times report quoting BMC sources, this free parking measure is temporary and will remain in place while the civic administration revisits its overall pay-and-park policy. As part of the interim arrangement, BMC staff will be deployed at all 24 locations to monitor parking and assist motorists.

The BMC is also taking disciplinary measures against those involved in the racket. The contractor at Kala Ghoda, who was caught during the sting operation charging inflated fees and permitting parking in no-parking zones, has been booked under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code for cheating. A proposal to blacklist the contractor has been forwarded to the traffic department, with a hearing to determine the duration of the blacklisting, expected to be between three and five years, based on tender norms.

Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar had demanded cancellation of all such illegal contracts and free parking until new tenders were issued. The issue gained further momentum after activist Santosh Daundkar raised alarm on April 25 about how contractors, some with alleged criminal links, were running a widespread racket from A ward to T ward. Meanwhile, assistant engineer Pawan Kawre from A ward was suspended on April 17 pending inquiry into his alleged role in the mismanagement of parking contracts.