The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally moved forward with its long-delayed smart parking project, nearly six years after it was first proposed.
On Wednesday, April 1, the civic standing committee approved the appointment of a contractor responsible for developing a digital dashboard that will map parking spaces across Mumbai.
The initiative aims to address the city’s chronic parking challenges by introducing a technology-driven system. According to officials, the project is now in its final phase, with the selection of a consultant underway to design and implement the digital platform.
The BMC plans to roll out the dashboard within a year, beginning with a pilot project across five wards covering the island city as well as the western and eastern suburbs.
Once completed, the system will integrate all parking spaces in the city into a single digital platform, accessible through both a mobile app and a website. The initial cost of the project is estimated at ₹3 crore.
The proposed app will allow users to check real-time parking availability and reserve spots in advance, reducing the time spent searching for parking and helping to ease traffic congestion.
Notably, the BMC has been working on digitising its parking infrastructure since 2020. At present, it manages 26 off-street and over 350 on-street parking locations. However, the ongoing shortage of parking space continues to push vehicles onto roads and footpaths, contributing to congestion and creating difficulties for pedestrians.
The new system also aims to integrate parking facilities operated by private entities, including malls and commercial complexes. Additionally, residential societies may be encouraged to make their parking spaces available during daytime hours.
With vehicle density in Mumbai reaching approximately 2,300 vehicles per kilometre—the highest among metros in India —the need for an efficient parking solution has become increasingly urgent.