Mumbaikars will soon know the nearest parking lots, it's available capacity and charges on their smartphones. The BMC is in process of introducing a 'Smart Parking Application' which will not only facilitate the motorists in the parking space scare city, but allow better utilisation of the Public Parking Lots (PPL). 

There are currently 37 PPLs across the city with a total capacity of 29,715 vehicles, and all are operational. However, the multi-storeyed PPLs located at prime areas in the city are several underused. Many are used quater of its total capacity.

"The main reason for under usage of PPLs is lack public awareness. BMC needs to reach out to the public informing about the available parking spaces across the city. Motorists prefer to park cars on roads as they are unaware of exact location of parking lots and/or availability," said Additional Municipal Commissioner, Abhijit Bangar.

"To address this issue, BMC has floated tender for Smart Parking Application, where citizens can not only locate nearest parking lots in any area of the city, but the application will also display live update on available parking spots, charges etc. The motorists can also book parking slots in advance," Bangar added. 

The Smart Parking Application is in the tendering process and is likely to be introduced by end of the year. 

Speaking on the new facility, transport expert Ashok Datar said, "I congratulate the BMC for this initiative. Finally, they have prioritised the issue of parking in Mumbai. The tall PPLs are lying empty."

"However, BMC should start from street parking. Once citizens get used to park on BMC-run street pay and park, gradually they will shift to PPLs too. BMC should also ensure there are equal number of parking spaces across the city and not concentrated in specific areas," Datar added. 

The PPLs are the parking lots built by the private developers against extra FSI. "Citizens should not forget PPLs are more in the area where more constructions have taken place. Development of PPLs was not with objective to provide parking space to citizens at prime location but priority to developers for extra FSI. Thus, the PPLs are underused. However, it is a welcoming move that BMC is focusing on usage of parking lots," Datar added.

As per the BMC data, maximum of PPLs are located in G-South ward (Lower Parel, Elphistone Road), followed by D and E wards (Malabar Hill, Altamount Road, Byculla) and S ward (Bhandup).

The FPJ visited some of the PPLs with highest capacity and found out that they were operational but way below their capacities, while some also have commercial activities running on the vacant lots. The operator at the PPL in Lower Parel on Mumbai Textile Mills plot, which has the highest capacity of accomodating 4,565 vehicles said, "We have not more than 1000 vehicles parked at a time. The basement floor is shut as there are no vehicles. We hardly have running vehicles parked here. Most of the vehicles are of nearby residents who park for long period like 3 or 6 months."

While, the PPLs on the same Senapati Bapat Marg on Jupiter Mill plot, which can accommodate as much as 2370 vehicles and in well maintained condition has not more than 200 vehicles parked at a time, the operator on the gate informed. The FPJ also found commercial activities like car repairing on the empty parking lots on upper floors. "More vehicles come in for first and fourth floor where the automobile services are provided than for parking," the operator said. 

While, the PPLs are Kohinoor Square near Shivaji Park, which can accommodate 1021 has more running vehicles parked. The FPJ did not see any ongoing commercial activity in the said PPL but local activist said there are services like car repairing provided inside the PPLs. "I have recorded videos garage services provided inside Kohinoor PPL. The PPL at Elphistone Road is also used for commercial activities like storage. This is because BMC does not carry regular inspections. Some parking lots are more famous for automotive services than parking vehicles," said activist Chetan Kamble from Chakachak Dadar.

Commenting on the issue Bangar said, "It needs to be checked if permissions are given for any commercial activity in any of the PPLs. However, it is possible these services are provided as the space is vacant." Bangar said that he will look into the matter of PPLs used for commercial activities.