Navi Mumbai: In a landmark move that could redefine urban parking norms across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is set to finalize its first comprehensive residential parking policy. The policy, aimed at addressing the city’s long-standing parking issues, is now in its final stages and will soon be submitted to the Maharashtra state government for approval.
Unlike many civic bodies still grappling with haphazard parking and unregulated vehicle congestion, NMMC has taken a structured and resident-centric approach. The initiative follows a Bombay High Court directive issued in December 2023 in response to Writ Petition No. 123/2016, filed by urban planning researcher and activist Sandeep Thakur.
The court had instructed the civic body to reassess its building regulations and create a long-term parking strategy that meets current demands and anticipates future growth. In compliance, NMMC formed an expert committee and launched a city-wide public consultation process. Resident feedback, collected via an online platform, played a key role in shaping the final draft.
“The objective is to ensure a well-planned, efficient, and sustainable parking system in Navi Mumbai,” said Somnath Kekan, Assistant Director of the Town Planning Department. “The new policy incorporates inputs from urban planning experts, stakeholders, and the general public.”
The final report has been submitted internally and is expected to be sent to the state government in the coming weeks. If approved, Navi Mumbai will become one of the first cities in the MMR to implement a dedicated residential parking policy—a move likely to inspire similar reforms in neighboring cities.
Residents have welcomed the development, expressing hope that the policy will reduce parking chaos, enhance road safety, and restore order to the city’s rapidly growing neighborhoods.
As Navi Mumbai positions itself as a model of forward-thinking urban governance, all eyes will now be on the state government’s response and the roadmap for implementation.
