The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has introduced a new policy aimed at guaranteeing sufficient parking facilities in both residential and commercial structures throughout the city, in compliance with a directive from the Bombay High Court. This policy outlines the required number of parking spaces that developers must provide for residential units, determined by the size of the homes.
The high court instructed the municipal corporation to reassess its parking policy in response to a petition submitted by activist Sandeep Thakur.
Responding to the order, Petitioner Thakur said that the new regulations appear to be beneficial and would provide Navi Mumbai with the most parking space compared to other Indian cities. However, he emphasized that their effectiveness hinges on strict implementation.
In compliance with the High Court’s directive, Navi Mumbai municipal commissioner Kailas Shinde established a committee of planning specialists, led by Jitendra Bhopale, who was the joint director of the Konkan division at the time.
The revised regulations were introduced following the committee’s suggestions.
Homes exceeding 1,500 square feet are required to have parking accommodations for two four-wheel vehicles and one two-wheeler, with an additional parking space mandated for every additional 500 square feet. For homes ranging from 800 to 1,500 square feet, the requirement is to provide parking for two four-wheel vehicles and one two-wheeler.
Every two homes with an area of 600-800 square feet should include parking for three four-wheelers and two two-wheelers. For every four homes that are 400-600 square feet in size, there should be provisions for five four-wheelers and four two-wheelers. In the case of homes sized between 300-400 square feet, each pair must provide parking for two four-wheelers and two two-wheelers. For homes smaller than 300 square feet, parking must accommodate one four-wheeler and two two-wheelers.
Additionally, NMMC has mandated that 5% of the total parking area must be allocated for visitor use, regardless of the homes’ sizes.
The NMMC commissioner, Shinde, stated that the municipal organization had requested input from residents through a questionnaire created by the committee to formulate effective strategies addressing the increasing need for parking facilities in the city.
“We received a very good response to it. Following the committee’s recommendations, we have finalized the parking space policy in the city, taking into consideration the unique conditions here and the growing demand. We have called for suggestions and objections from the residents now. Once the process is completed, the proposal will be sent to the state government for final approval,” informs Shinde.
In a notable development, residences in lower-income group (LIG) colonies constructed by CIDCO are now exempt from parking space mandates during the redevelopment process. This exemption effectively tackles the difficulties associated with narrow roadways and restricted space in these neighborhoods, which have obstructed redevelopment initiatives for more than 75,000 impacted homes.
The NMMC had earlier filed a review petition in the High Court asking for such an exemption after the court ordered in 2016 that at least one parking space should be provided for a tenement with a built-up area up to 45 sqm or carpet area up to 35 sqm.
“The residents of LIG and other small colonies cannot be denied the right to redevelopment. There were practical difficulties and, hence, we have made the necessary changes in the rules,” says Shinde.
Thakur, however, emphasized that the LIG homes ought to be reconstructed or refurbished while maintaining the same floor space index (FSI). He noted that if additional FSI is allocated, it would lead to an increase in residents, consequently resulting in a higher demand for parking facilities.