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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.

The Illusion of Confidence

In the business world, confidence has become a kind of currency. The firm handshake, the unshakable tone, the assured smile — all are treated as signs of capability. Yet, not all confidence is real. Some of it is an illusion carefully built to hide uncertainty beneath the surface.


It is not uncommon to meet people who appear unshakably sure of themselves, but who crumble when their ideas are questioned. Others project calm strength in meetings but struggle to make decisions when no one is watching. This is not confidence; it is performance. And over time, the difference shows.


Real confidence cannot be faked for long. It is not loud, nor is it dependent on constant validation. It is rooted in a quiet understanding of one’s strengths, values, and limitations. It is the ability to remain composed when challenged and to respond with grace instead of defensiveness. This depth of confidence often distinguishes the respected leader from the merely visible one.


In the age of personal branding, the illusion of confidence is more dangerous than ever. Social media rewards appearances — perfect pictures, polished statements, and success stories with little mention of the struggle that built them. But people are growing wiser. They can sense the difference between authenticity and a well-rehearsed act. What once looked aspirational now often feels distant, even hollow.


A strong personal brand is not built on projection but on presence. It comes from knowing who you are, what you stand for, and how consistently you show up. The moment a person begins to rely on appearance more than essence, the cracks begin to show — in relationships, in leadership, and eventually, in credibility.


The truth is that confidence without character doesn’t hold. The world doesn’t need louder voices; it needs steadier ones. People follow leaders who make them feel seen, not small. They trust those who admit mistakes and still stand tall.


Many business owners and professionals mistake style for substance. They invest in looking confident instead of becoming confident. But the latter comes only through reflection and refinement — through working on how you communicate, how you behave under pressure, and how you treat people when there’s nothing to gain.


Confidence grows quietly, from within. It develops when your personal brand reflects your real self, not a curated version of it. When your actions align with your words, and your composure remains steady despite circumstances, that’s when confidence stops being a mask and becomes your natural state.


True personal branding is not about impressing others. It’s about expressing yourself clearly, sincerely, and consistently. And when done right, it turns your presence into influence — not because you tried to appear confident, but because you became trustworthy.


For every business owner and founder reading this, it’s worth asking: are you building your confidence or simply performing it? Because the difference decides how far your brand will go.


If this reflection resonates with you and you’re ready to strengthen not just your image but the substance behind it, I invite you to join my upcoming Signature Personal Branding Program for business owners and founders beginning on October 24. It’s an intimate, limited cohort designed to help you develop a personal brand that commands respect — not through appearance, but through authentic confidence.


Because real confidence isn’t performed — it’s lived. And if you’d like to begin this journey with a personal touch, you can also book a complimentary consultation callwith me to explore where your brand truly stands today — and how we can help you take it to the next level.



(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries.

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