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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

BMC plans parking curbs in narrow lanes

Mumbai: Amid mounting concerns over delayed emergency response in congested neighbourhoods, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to enforce parking restrictions in several narrow lanes across the city, where indiscriminate on-street parking has increasingly emerged as a critical civic hazard. The move, expected to be implemented soon, is aimed at ensuring unobstructed access for fire engines and ambulances in densely populated pockets where even minor delays can have...

BMC plans parking curbs in narrow lanes

Mumbai: Amid mounting concerns over delayed emergency response in congested neighbourhoods, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to enforce parking restrictions in several narrow lanes across the city, where indiscriminate on-street parking has increasingly emerged as a critical civic hazard. The move, expected to be implemented soon, is aimed at ensuring unobstructed access for fire engines and ambulances in densely populated pockets where even minor delays can have life-threatening consequences. “Illegal parking is not merely a compliance issue; it reflects the structural gap between the rapid growth in vehicle ownership and the limited parking infrastructure available in our cities,” said Prashant Sharma, President of NAREDCO Maharashtra. “As urban centres continue to densify, there is a pressing need to integrate well-planned and technologically enabled parking solutions within city planning as well as new real estate developments. Adequate parking infrastructure will play a crucial role in ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving overall urban mobility,” he added. Highlighting the urgency for scalable interventions, Ashish Majithia, Founder and CEO of Nextkraft Parking Technologies, said, “Mumbai’s parking crisis, especially in older and congested localities, underscores the need for innovative approaches such as automated and multi-level parking systems. Automated or mechanised parking should be installed at every public parking spot, which can significantly increase capacity, reduce dependence on on-street parking and ensure that critical access routes remain unobstructed. Alongside regulatory measures, adopting vertical parking infrastructure will be the key to building safer and more efficient cities.” The civic concern is particularly acute in older parts of South and Central Mumbai, including Chandanwadi, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, Gaondevi, Tardeo, Mumbai Central, Nagpada, Agripada and Byculla, where over 240 narrow lanes have been identified. Civic assessments indicate that nearly 35 to 40 of these are so constricted that only a single vehicle can pass at a time, making them highly vulnerable during emergencies when every second is critical. Commercial Zones The situation is further exacerbated in high-density commercial zones such as Zaveri Bazaar and Kalbadevi, where wholesale trade activity leads to persistent vehicular congestion. Authorities warn that in the event of fires or medical emergencies, blocked access routes could result in severe loss of life and property, underlining the gravity of the issue as more than just a traffic inconvenience. According to civic officials, proposed measures include introducing odd-even parking systems in select lanes and declaring complete no-parking zones in others, coupled with stricter enforcement against violators. However, residents and business owners have raised concerns over the absence of adequate alternative parking infrastructure, arguing that enforcement without viable substitutes could shift the burden rather than resolve the problem. As Mumbai continues to grapple with rising vehicle ownership and shrinking urban space, the proposed restrictions bring into sharp focus a deeper civic challenge, balancing immediate regulatory action with long-term infrastructure planning. Experts maintain that unless supported by systematic investments in organised, high-capacity parking solutions, the city’s emergency access bottlenecks may persist despite stricter rules.

Ajit Pawar, a defeated warrior

Updated: Jan 6, 2025

Ajit Pawar

Mumbai: Ajit Pawar became the comeback king of Maharashtra as his party emerged as the real NCP in the election results. But within a span of one month, a question is being asked that ‘where is Ajit dada’ and why he has not uttered a single word on the Massajog murder case involving minister Dhananjay Munde.


Straight forward in nature and an outspoken leader Ajit Pawar has suddenly disappeared from political scenarios for a couple of weeks. His silence is conspicuous as his trusted aid Dhananjay Munde is under fire from all four sides. Has Ajit dada gone abroad, is he on vacation, no clue. Now things are becoming increasingly difficult not only for Pawar but even for the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to defend Munde as all the parties including NCP and BJP are gunning for his head.


Sources in NCP said, Pawar is aware of the impact of the current controversy on his and his party’s image. There is also a strong Maratha undertone in the case as Deshmukh was Maratha and Walmik Karad, the prime accused in the case and Munde come from Vanjari caste in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. During the Manoj Jarange Patil-led agitation for Maratha quota, Beed saw a bitter tussle between Maratha and Vanjari communities. Pawar has not asked Dhananjay Munde to step down but at the same time he is not stopping NCP leaders from Beed such as MLA Prakash Solanke from attacking the Minister. The next few days could decide whether Munde manages to save his chair or is asked to take a step back, in the interest of his party and the Mahayuti government.


MLAs of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP have demanded the resignation of Dhananjay Munde, who is at the helm of the affairs of Food and Civil Supplies department and have conveyed their demand to NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. They said the party legislators are demanding the resignation due to Munde’s proximity with Valmik Karad, who is an accused in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The MLAs are wary of losing the support of the Maratha caste group if they are seen favouring Dhananjay Munde. MLA Prakash Solanke is insisting for sacking him. In spite of these developments Pawar has not surfaced.


At the same time a different script was written to the story. Among the many prayers made on New Year’s Day, one stands out in Maharashtra. On Wednesday, Ajit Pawar’s mother Asha Pawar visited the temple town of Pandharpur and, in her own words, prayed for the reunion of Ajit and his uncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. The political landscape in Maharashtra has often reflected shifting alliances and familial ties. There are speculations that the fractured relationship between Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, may be mended. Political observers have been closely watching the possibility of a reunion within the Pawar family following the split in the NCP in 2023. While some see a potential for healing, others wonder if the gap between the two leaders can ever be bridged.


The political ramifications of a reunion between the two leaders could be profound. While Sharad Pawar remains a key figure in the All India Alliance, Ajit Pawar's support for the NDA has created a complicated political situation. The coming months will determine whether the Pawar family can heal its rifts and how their potential unity will impact the state's governance and party alignments. Nevertheless, the NCP leadership has put the full stop on the possibility of the reunion of the NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar.


On the other hand, the Mahayuti government is facing mounting tensions over the distribution of guardian minister positions following the recent cabinet expansion. The controversy surrounding the selection of guardian ministers for districts. This has become a major challenge for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with intense competition erupting across the state. 11 out of Maharashtra’s 36 districts have witnessed fierce competition, with multiple contenders vying for the prestigious positions. On this particular issue the Shiv Sena led by deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is putting hurdles before the NCP on every occasion.


Against this backdrop when Ajit Pawar will in true sense assume the command the question is being discussed in the hush hush voice in the corridors of power. In this complicated situation where Ajit Pawar stands in Mahayui is still unclear.

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