BMC Proposes 10 Per Cent Hike in Parking Charges Across Mumbai

Mumbaikars are likely to face higher parking fees as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a 10 per cent hike in charges across public parking lots and on-street parking spaces in the city. The revised proposal is scheduled to be submitted to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide for administrative approval next month.

Following the municipal commissioner's clearance, the proposal will be placed before the BMC's Standing Committee and the General Body for final approval before implementation.

At present, the civic body operates approximately 37 public parking lots and 67 on-street parking sites across Mumbai. These parking facilities are divided into A, B, and C categories, with tariffs structured according to the specific area, category, and type of vehicle.

Under the existing tariff framework, parking charges for two-wheelers range from a minimum of Rs 5 for one hour to a maximum of Rs 30 for 12 hours. For three-wheelers and four-wheelers, current rates start at a minimum of Rs 20 for one hour and go up to Rs 70 for 12 hours.

The civic body's traffic department had originally sought a much steeper increase of 46.40 per cent in parking fees, pointing to inflation and rising operational expenses incurred over the past three to four years. However, the municipal commissioner rejected the steep hike and instructed officials to draft a revised proposal limiting the increase to 10 per cent across all categories for a duration of two years.

When asked about the proposal, BMC Deputy Chief Engineer (Traffic) Jitendra Kamble stated that the relevant file is currently at a lower administrative level and has not yet reached his office.

The BMC previously attempted to introduce scheduled fee revisions in 2015 while formulating a comprehensive Pay and Park policy. That planned increase was stayed following objections raised by citizens and various political parties.