Mumbai: To bring discipline to urban traffic and avoid unnecessary congestion on roads, the Urban Development Department must amend its policy to strengthen the parking system, said Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. He emphasized the importance of introducing an integrated parking system in metropolitan cities.
Minister Sarnaik was speaking at a meeting of municipal commissioners from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), held at Mantralaya. The meeting included officials such as Additional Secretary of the Transport Department Sanjay Sethi, Additional Secretary of the Urban Development Department Asim Gupta, and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar. Municipal Commissioners from Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Panvel, Mira-Bhayander, and Vasai-Virar were also present.
Sarnaik said that in future development plans, municipal corporations must earmark specific spaces for parking. In this regard, the Urban Development Department should revise its policy and share a new draft with 14 key recommendations with all MMR municipal bodies.
Suggestions for Improved Parking Infrastructure
Additional Secretary Asim Gupta stated that to reduce future traffic congestion caused by unauthorized roadside parking, municipalities should develop "pay-and-park" systems on available open land. He also proposed exploring partnerships with private societies and property owners to allow night-time parking (12 am to 6 am) under a pay-and-park model.
Moreover, Gupta suggested that municipalities should implement alternate-day parking on wider roads to prevent traffic blockages. The proposed pay-and-park systems should be contactless and based on FASTag technology, making them user-friendly and efficient.
Affordable Parking for All
Minister Sarnaik further advised that parking charges should be kept minimal to encourage citizens to use designated parking facilities rather than parking illegally on roads.
Underground Parking in Gardens and Open Spaces
Highlighting space constraints in metropolitan areas, Sarnaik recommended building underground parking beneath parks and gardens. He cited the Thane Municipal Corporation’s successful model as an example for other municipal bodies to follow.
