New Parking Rule: BMC collects Rs 1.8 lakh on Day 1 from illegally parked vehicles
Under the new parking rule, which came into effect on July 7, illegally parked two-wheelers will attract a fine of Rs 5,000-8,300 while four-wheeler owners will be fined Rs 10,000-15,100 (Picture Courtesy: @rajennair/@goa_man)
At least 80 vehicles were towed away and Rs 1.8 lakh in fines was collected on the first day the BMC’s new traffic rules, in which exorbitant fines are levied on illegally parked vehicles in the city, were implemented.
The towed vehicles included 63 cars, 14 bikes, and 3 auto-rickshaws, according to a report in The Times Of India.
While the fine for illegally parking cars, bikes, and autos stands at Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 respectively, the collection was far lower as most violators were yet to pay the fine as of Sunday night.
The maximum fine was paid by the owner of a tourist car agency, who had parked 10 cars illegally outside his house in Kalina.
However, by the time officials towed four of his cars, he managed to remove the other six. He eventually paid Rs 40,000 for getting the four towed cars released.
One biker, who was willing to pay the fine, couldn’t do so because officials didn’t have the facility of collecting fines by card or a digital wallet.
While the first day went without any major hiccups, officials say they will understand the people’s true reaction on Monday, a working day when maximum vehicles will be on the road.
The teams in charge of towing the vehicles have been equipped with cameras to record the exact spot from where they are towing the vehicles in a bid to avoid any arguments with the owners.
The BMC also put up notices proclaiming the new parking fines-cum-towing charges in different areas of the city to warn potential offenders.
About the new ‘illegal parking’ fines
Last month, the BMC decided to impose heavy fines on vehicles that are parked in unauthorised spaces, thereby blocking roads and affecting the movement of pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
The new parking rule, with the higher penalties, came into effect on July 7, 2019 and applies to all vehicles parked within 500 metre radius of the 26 authorised public parking lots and 20 designated BEST depots in the city.
The penalty will comprise the actual fine for illegal parking and towing charges, which will come to a whopping Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,300 for two-wheelers and Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,100 for light motor vehicles (cars).
The new penalties for medium vehicles shall be Rs 11,000 to Rs 17,600, for heavy vehicles Rs 15,000 to Rs 23,250 and for all types of three-wheelers Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,200 per violation.
From the minimum amounts, the fines will keep increasing progressively daily for late payment charges until the maximum rates.
Initially, the new parking rules shall be implemented in dense traffic areas and in localities with already sufficient alternative parking facilities, gradually it will be extended to all other areas.
