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Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik calls for a revision of urban development rules to address growing parking challenges and improve city infrastructure.
Minister Sarnaik announced that, moving forward, municipal corporations must include designated parking areas in their development plans. In line with this directive, the Urban Development Department is to revise its regulations and issue a framework containing 14 new recommendations to municipal bodies within the MMRDA region.
To address traffic congestion in Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs, the Urban Development Department should implement parking-related amendments to urban policies within the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), said Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. He made this statement during a meeting with municipal commissioners from the MMRDA region held at Mantralaya.
The meeting was attended by Additional Transport Secretary Sanjay Sethi, Additional Urban Development Secretary Asim Gupta, Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar, and the municipal commissioners of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Panvel, Mira-Bhayandar, and Vasai-Virar.
Sarnaik stated that, going forward, all municipal corporations must allocate designated parking areas in their development plans. In line with this directive, the Urban Development Department should revise its regulations and circulate an updated framework containing 14 recommendations to all civic bodies within the MMRDA jurisdiction.
Pay-and-Park and Underground Parking Facilities Proposed
During the meeting, Additional Secretary Asim Gupta emphasized the urgent need to address traffic congestion caused by unauthorized roadside parking. He called on municipal authorities to develop pay-and-park zones on available open land within their areas. He also highlighted the potential of underground parking solutions to ease urban traffic flow and improve city infrastructure.
He also suggested that municipalities consider implementing pay-and-park schemes within private society compounds and private properties during off-peak hours (12 a.m. to 6 a.m.), subject to the consent of property owners.
For wider roads, Gupta proposed alternate-day parking regulations to help reduce congestion. He also recommended the use of contactless parking solutions, such as FASTag-based systems, to enhance convenience and ensure better compliance.
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Affordable Parking for All Citizens
Minister Sarnaik emphasized the importance of keeping parking charges low to ensure they remain accessible to the general public. Affordable rates, he noted, would encourage people to use authorized parking facilities rather than resorting to illegal options.
He also proposed developing underground parking beneath parks and open spaces to maximize land use without compromising green areas.
Due to the limited availability of land in metropolitan areas, the minister proposed building underground parking facilities beneath existing gardens and parks. Highlighting the successful pilot project carried out by the Thane Municipal Corporation, Sarnaik encouraged other urban local bodies to adopt this model to make more efficient use of available land.
New Panel to Tackle Transporters’ E-Challan Concerns in Maharashtra: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced the formation of a new panel aimed at resolving the challenges faced by transporters regarding the traffic e-challan system.
The decision was made on Thursday, with officials confirming that the panel will look into grievances and recommend solutions to streamline the process and address the concerns raised by stakeholders in the transport sector.
The committee will comprise officials from the Transport Department, police, subject-matter experts, and representatives of transport associations. It is expected to submit its report within a month, according to sources.
In addition, Sarnaik stated that the committee should review existing speed limits and parking regulations and include its recommendations in the final report.
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