MUMBAI: In an attempt to
avoid occupancy of roadside spaces by cars, the state has decided to
allow developers to use 100% of basement area in an upcoming building
for parking. At present, only 50% of the basement area can be used for
parking. Also, buildings can have multiple levels for parking as against
the existing one or two levels.

In order to create more
parking space, the government is set to change rules under the
Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act and will soon invite
public suggestions and objections before implementing the plan.

“While builders are currently allowed to construct only one or two
basement levels for parking, they will able to dedicate multiple floors
once the rules are changed,” said a senior Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officer.

While the civic body has already changed its rules under the MRTP Act,
the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will soon
follow suit. The notification to this effect was published by MMRDA in
newspapers on Saturday.

“With the basement area being freed of
floor space index, more developers would like to build multiple parking
slots in upcoming projects. The changes may also be applied in case of
buildings going for redevelopment. But the chances of existing
structures creating more space for parking in their basements are slim,”
said a senior state government official.

The MMRDA has sought
tenders, inviting contractors to maintain 1,600 parking spaces,
including 1,100 for four-wheelers and 170 for buses, in BKC. Sources
said the changes under the MRTP Act would double the parking space in
BKC. “Many buildings have scope for expansion,” said a source.Meanwhile,
the town planning experts in the city have welcomed the move. “This
will surely facilitate more parking space in the upcoming or redeveloped
buildings. Waving of premium would encourage developers to create more
parking spaces. Especially since airport and other restrictions do not
allow buildings to go up, this is the welcome step. However, my biggest
concern is of enforcement. I think administration should ensure that
with this amendment more parking spaces are created and used not just by
the residents or employees but also by the visitors of the buildings,”
town planning expert V K Phatak said.

Promoting parking in the basements to avoid them on roads

1) Entire basement can be used for parking in the buildings instead of
earlier rule to allow only 50 per cent basement use for parking purpose

2) Against one or two basement levels allowed for parking in any
building, now the developers can build multi-level parking floors in the
basement

3) Developers would earlier pay five per cent premium on the basement parking which has been waived off completely

4) MMRDA on Saturday invited suggestions and objections over these
three amendments for the BKC area being made in MRTP Act. In fact such
an amendment is being made in the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning
(MRTP) Act for entire Mumbai region. BMC has already made changes to
this effect.

5) Besides, MMRDA comes out with a tender to award
maintenance for 1600 parking spaces, including around 1100 for cars and
around 170 for buses in its BKC area. The amendment would facilitate
almost double the spaces in the existing scenario.