'No Parking Space, No Vehicle Registration’: Maharashtra Minister's New Traffic Policy To Tackle Congestion

Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra's transport minister, discussed a proposed traffic policy, 'no parking space, no vehicle registration,' during an interview with CNN-News18.

Sarnaik suggested the policy could alleviate traffic problems and improve vehicular flow.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/PratapSarnaik

Sarnaik highlighted the growing traffic challenges, particularly in urban areas like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), due to population growth and increased vehicle ownership.

"Maharashtra's roads are under immense pressure due to the increasing population and easy access to vehicles facilitated by readily available loans from sellers and banks," Sarnaik stated.

"The result is a traffic crisis across cities, with vehicles occupying streets and creating bottlenecks."

NEW POLICY

The transport department is formulating a policy requiring vehicle buyers to provide proof of parking space before registering a new vehicle.

According to Sarnaik, this initiative is aimed at addressing parking indiscipline, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

"Currently, many people, particularly those in smaller housing units, don't invest in parking spaces. Instead, they park on roads, which not only causes traffic snarls but also creates hurdles for emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigades," Sarnaik said.

The minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents in smaller accommodations, such as chawls or one-bedroom apartments. To address these challenges, the policy would allow buyers to obtain a clearance certificate from local municipal authorities. This document would confirm access to designated parking zones or municipal parking facilities.

"We're mindful of the fact that not everyone can afford large homes with dedicated parking spaces. However, we can't compromise on discipline and public safety. These clearance certificates will ensure that vehicles are parked responsibly without encroaching upon public roads," Sarnaik emphasised.

He also referred to the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCR) of 2022-23, which require developers to provide adequate parking spaces for two-wheelers and four-wheelers in their projects.

The proposed policy will apply solely to new vehicle registrations and will not affect vehicles already in use.