No Parking, No Vehicle: Maharashtra Plans Stricter Vehicle Registration Rules to Ease Traffic and Parking Woes
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed linking vehicle ownership with mandatory parking space availability in a bid to curb congestion. He emphasized the importance of regulating the growing number of vehicles in the state, suggesting that municipal corporations in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune integrate all parking facilities into a unified digital platform for better enforcement and accessibility.
“There are several public parking lots in Mumbai, but many remain unused. Moving forward, we aim to introduce a policy where individuals without designated parking space may not be allowed to buy a vehicle,” Fadnavis stated.
App-Based Parking Solutions on the Horizon
As an alternative to ownership restrictions, the Chief Minister proposed an app-based system where people without personal parking spaces could rent one. “This will help in preventing illegal roadside parking, easing traffic congestion, and reducing accidents,” he added. The initiative, credited to state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, seeks to integrate technology for efficient parking management.
Guardian Minister Debate in Raigad Settled
Addressing concerns over the guardian minister position in Raigad, Fadnavis confirmed that he, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, would collectively oversee the district. “With all three of us handling the district, there is no need for concern,” he assured.
Mandatory Parking Proof for Vehicle Registration
In line with these reforms, State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar previously disclosed that a policy mandating proof of certified parking space for new vehicle registrations was under consideration. The transport department has already forwarded a proposal to the state government for approval.
Fadnavis also spoke about Maharashtra’s efforts to phase out older vehicles, starting with 18,000 government-owned ones, through automatic testing and scrapping centers. “This initiative will significantly help in reducing pollution levels,” he noted.
Tech-Driven Enforcement to Curb Road Accidents
Highlighting improvements in traffic enforcement, Fadnavis stated that advanced cameras on major highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, have led to a significant reduction in accidents. “Accidents have decreased by 29% and 35%, respectively, as violations are captured in real time and challans are issued automatically,” he explained.
Removal of Checkposts to Facilitate Goods Transport
Fadnavis also announced plans to eliminate goods transport checkposts, deeming them redundant post-GST implementation. “The Centre has already directed their removal, and I have instructed the transport department to submit a proposal for closing all remaining checkposts by April 15. This will ensure the smooth movement of goods and enhance the ease of doing business,” he stated.
New RTO Headquarters to Boost Efficiency
The new RTO headquarters, Parivahan Bhavan in Worli, is set to enhance transport-related services with a four-story facility covering 12,800 square meters. The structure will include parking for 150 vehicles, ensuring better service efficiency and regulatory oversight.
With Maharashtra taking these steps to integrate technology-driven solutions and improve traffic management, the state is moving towards a more structured and sustainable urban transport system.
