Speaking to mid-day about streamlining the use of Public Parking Lots (PPLs) in Mumbai, BMC Additional Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “It is a fact that PPLs are not being utilised effectively. On average, they operate at a maximum of 70 per cent capacity. This is a generalised figure, many PPLs may be functioning at even lower capacities. We have received complaints regarding safety issues, lack of signages, inconsistent accessibility, and poor last-mile connectivity. These are challenges that need to be addressed on multiple levels.”

He added, “We are currently in the tendering stage for a new application themed ‘Smart Parking’. This platform will map all parking spaces across the city, provide real-time data on available spots, and incorporate FASTag-based payment. Such a payment system will help address complaints of overcharging or fund misuse.”

Commenting on why the earlier Mumbai Parking Authority module, part of the My BMC mobile application and similar in concept to ‘Smart Parking’, did not take off, Bangar said: