The Maharashtra government has announced a dedicated parking policy intended to tackle rising urban congestion and improve road efficiency across the state. The policy establishes designated parking zones, prioritises allocation of space for commercial and passenger vehicles and sets out a framework for municipal management. It is described by officials as a strategic measure to reduce curbside parking, ease traffic bottlenecks and support smoother movement of public and private transport.

The policy outlines the introduction of marked parking bays, time-based restrictions and differentiated pricing to better manage demand in busy precincts. It envisages integration with digital parking platforms to enable cashless payments, advance reservations and real time occupancy information, and recommends coordination with urban public transport services to strengthen last mile connectivity. Municipal corporations will be encouraged to pilot technology such as sensors and smart signage to monitor utilisation.

Implementation responsibility will rest with municipal authorities working with the state transport department and local police for enforcement and traffic management. The approach calls for stakeholder engagement with resident associations, commercial operators and transport providers to refine operational rules and grievance redressal mechanisms. The policy also proposes revenue sharing arrangements to ensure funds collected through parking fees are channelled towards urban mobility projects and maintenance of public space.

Officials expect the measure to reduce on street congestion, shorten travel times and improve air quality by limiting unnecessary vehicle circulation. The government plans a phased rollout across major cities, coupled with public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance and behavioural change. Observers say success will depend on consistent enforcement, technological adoption and integration with broader sustainable transport programmes. Monitoring mechanisms will be published on official portals.