From today, illegal parking to attract fines up to Rs 23,000 in Mumbai

Mumbai: According to a new rule imposed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Traffic Police on Sunday, those caught parking their vehicle in no-parking zones within 500 metre radius of the 26 public parking lots in Mumbai will be given a ticket ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 23,000.

So the fine for illegal parking on Mumbai roads cost as much as or more than the bill for servicing a car at a workshop.

The penalty comprises the actual fine for illegal parking and towing charges, which will come to a whopping Rs 5000 to Rs 8,300 for two-wheelers and Rs 10,000 to Rs 23,250 for four-wheelers. As per the break-up, owners of medium vehicles will receive a ticket between Rs 11,000 to Rs 17,600, light motor vehicles Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,100 and for all types of three-wheelers fine will range between Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,200 for every violation.

The new rule was put in place to control instances of people simply parking anywhere they like on the sides of the roads leading to traffic jams in the city. "This will curb instances of people simply parking anywhere, disappearing for brief to prolonged periods to complete some work before returning, but by that time, traffic is already in chaos, especially on main roads," a BMC official was quoted by news agency IANS.

Mumbai has an estimated three million vehicles, comprising all categories, on its roads.

In the beginning, these new parking rules will be implemented in dense traffic areas and in localities with already sufficient alternative parking facilities, and later extend it to other areas.

The BMC has also hired services of ex-service personnel and even private security guards to help the traffic police.