To check congestion, CM moots rules to link vehicle purchase with parking space
Extract
from the article:
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has
proposed a groundbreaking policy to combat the deeply entrenched problem of
urban congestion—making the purchase of new vehicles conditional upon proof of
available parking space. Essentially, “If you do not have parking, then you
cannot purchase a vehicle,” stated the CM, reinforcing a paradigm shift from
reactive to preventive urban planning.
This initiative is undergirded by the deployment of
technology, with parking space data to be integrated into an app, facilitating
enforcement and transparency. The move aims to tackle the spiraling number of
vehicles that choke Maharashtra’s roads, especially in dense urban hubs like
Mumbai. It’s an effort not only to mitigate traffic snarls but also to conserve
public space for pedestrians and ensure a balanced urban ecosystem.
My
Take:
It
is Not That Simple
Several years ago, I wrote about the complexity of vehicle registration and
parking in Mumbai. I highlighted the Bombay High Court’s scrutiny of
multiple-vehicle ownership and the critical need to verify sufficient parking
before granting new vehicle registrations. Back in 2015, Justice Patil astutely
pointed out the immense strain on local infrastructure and pedestrian spatial
rights. This foresight anticipated the very policy now being proposed by CM
Fadnavis.
Reading this today, it strikes me how prescient that
assessment was. The concept of conditioning vehicle purchase on parking
availability is not new; it was debated in legal and administrative circles
years ago but lacked the technological tools and political will to implement
decisively. Integrating parking data into an enforcement-friendly app might be
the catalyst turning past ideas into actionable policy. I have always believed
that urban vehicle regulation requires more than lip service—it demands systemic
enforcement, innovative solutions, and a holistic change in urban mobility
culture. This development aligns perfectly with that conviction.
Dear
Sanjay Pandeyji: Neither Car Makers Nor Buyers Can Be Blamed Alone
A few months back, I expressed cautious optimism regarding mandatory parking
certification before vehicle registration, underscoring how it would reshape
urban transport policy. However, I also warned about knee-jerk, myopic
reactions that could penalize prospective buyers unfairly while ignoring
entrenched irregularities like unregulated parking of commercial vehicles and
two-wheelers, the real culprits behind congestion.
This balanced viewpoint is highly pertinent to the current
discourse. The CM’s proposal, while promising, raises essential questions about
enforcement equity. How will authorities reconcile hundreds of thousands of
vehicles already parked indiscriminately across public spaces? Why single out
new car buyers when many commercial vehicles—critical for livelihoods—park
without permits? Reflecting on those concerns today, I reaffirm that urban
mobility solutions must be comprehensive, encompassing all aspects of road
usage and parking regulation, appreciating socio-economic complexities, and
calibrated to avoid undue hardship on any stakeholder.
Call
to Action:
To the Honorable CM Devendra Fadnavis and the Maharashtra
Transport and Urban Development Authorities: This visionary policy of linking
vehicle purchases to parking availability is a transformative leap forward. I
urge you to complement this initiative with robust mechanisms addressing
existing unregulated parking, especially those of commercial and two-wheeler
vehicles.
Invest in expansive, affordable multilevel parking
infrastructure and prioritize integrating diverse stakeholder inputs—including
citizens, transport unions, and urban planners. Furthermore, commit to
transparent, technology-driven enforcement that balances regulation with
accessibility and equity. Only then can this policy evolve from a commendable
concept into a sustainable solution that truly decongests Maharashtra’s roads
and reclaims urban spaces for all.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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