Maharashtra Cracks Down on Traffic Woes: No Car Registration Without Proof of Parking
In a landmark move to tackle Mumbai’s growing traffic congestion and parking crisis, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on Monday that new vehicles will not be registered unless buyers provide verified proof of an allotted parking space. The announcement marks a significant shift in state policy, aimed at curbing the uncontrolled growth of private vehicles, especially in densely populated urban areas like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Following a high-level meeting on the state’s new parking policy, Minister Sarnaik addressed the media to share details of the initiative. “We are looking to construct more parking spaces across the city. Development rules should be followed strictly, and developers must provide adequate parking along with residential flats,” he said. “We will not register any new vehicles unless the buyer produces a certificate of parking space allotment from the relevant civic body.”
The MMR, which includes Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, has witnessed a massive surge in vehicle ownership in recent years, further straining already inadequate parking infrastructure. Unregulated street parking has led to increased traffic congestion, road blockages, and rising tensions between motorists and pedestrians. By mandating proof of parking, the government aims to impose accountability and encourage more planned urban development.
The policy has been welcomed by urban planners, who have long argued that the lack of a comprehensive parking strategy has contributed significantly to the city’s mobility challenges. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the policy’s implementation, especially for middle-class buyers who may struggle to secure formal parking spaces.
Addressing these concerns, Sarnaik added that the government is working on multiple solutions to expand parking availability. One such plan includes permitting the construction of underground parking plazas beneath designated recreational spaces—an idea currently under consideration by the state’s Urban Development department.
In addition to the parking policy, Sarnaik also spoke about Maharashtra’s future-forward plans to improve urban transport. He revealed that the government is exploring the implementation of suspended pod taxi systems in areas like Mira-Bhayandar and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), with the aim of enhancing last-mile connectivity to the city’s expanding metro network.
“I recently visited Vadodara, which is set to host the world’s first commercially ready suspended pod-car transport system. A similar model is being planned for key urban zones in Maharashtra,” he said.
As Maharashtra rolls out its new parking policy, the state hopes to set a precedent for other metropolitan areas grappling with similar challenges. With urban space at a premium and traffic congestion at an all-time high, the bold move may offer a roadmap for more sustainable city planning across India.
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