Bombay High Court questions BMC over parking policy

Mumbai: In the light of growing parking problems in the city, Bombay high court has asked BMC if it has any comprehensive policy to address parking woes of Mumbaikars.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dr Majula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bhagwanji Rayani of Janhit Manch which pointed out that increasing number of vehicles and haphazard parking on roads was inconveniencing the public at large.

The bench cautioned BMC that the city would run out of space for pedestrians in the next five years if steps were not taken to address the congestion problem. “Every open space is being used for parking. Is there any categorisation of roads in terms of where parking is allowed and where it is not allowed? Does the civic body have a comprehensive policy for parking?” the court asked. “There is no policy. Anyone can park anywhere. There is no coordination between any agency,” the bench observed.

Pointing out instances in south Mumbai and the western suburbs where vehicles were being parked illegally, Chief Justice Dr Chellur, giving the example of Malabar Hill, said, “In the night, on both sides of the road, cars are parked like a necklace making the roads narrower. In Bombay after five years, you won’t have space to go anywhere. This is a very serious issue. Even the footpaths have been taken over by hawkers.”