Maharashtra’s New Vehicle Rule: Proof of Parking Required

Maharashtra’s New Vehicle Rule: Proof of Parking Required

New Rule to Tackle Traffic Chaos

On May 20, 2025, Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a bold new policy: no new vehicle can be registered without proof of a designated parking space.

This rule, set to be implemented soon, aims to curb the growing traffic congestion and parking shortages in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Maharashtra’s New Vehicle Rule: Proof of Parking Required

Buyers must now provide a parking space allotment certificate from their local civic authority before registering a car. The policy is part of a broader effort to manage the state’s booming vehicle population and ease urban gridlock. Cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune are struggling with overcrowded roads and illegal parking, prompting this drastic measure.

Why This Rule? The Background

Maharashtra’s urban centers, especially Mumbai, face severe traffic and parking challenges. With over 4 crore vehicles registered in the state, roads are choked, and public parking is scarce.

In Mumbai alone, there are only about 14,000 public parking slots for millions of vehicles. Illegal roadside parking worsens congestion, delays emergency services, and increases accidents.

The state government sees this policy as a way to ensure responsible vehicle ownership. By linking registration to parking availability, authorities hope to discourage unnecessary car purchases and promote sustainable urban planning.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has backed the idea, emphasizing the need to regulate vehicle numbers. Earlier proposals in March 2025 hinted at this policy, showing it has been under consideration for months.

What It Means for Car Buyers

The new rule changes the car-buying process in Maharashtra. Before registering a vehicle, buyers must prove they have a designated parking space, either at their residence or through a leased spot. This certificate must come from the local municipal body, ensuring the space is verified.

For those living in apartments, developers must provide parking with flats, as mandated by the state. If buyers lack personal parking, they may need to rent spaces through an app-based system proposed by the government. Failure to comply means no registration, effectively blocking vehicle ownership.

This could make car buying tougher, especially for those in densely packed urban areas with limited parking. The policy also pushes builders to include adequate parking in new projects, aligning with urban development goals.

The Logic Behind the Move

The reasoning is simple: fewer cars without parking mean less chaos on the roads. Maharashtra’s government believes this rule will reduce illegal parking, free up road space, and improve traffic flow. It also encourages better urban planning by forcing developers to prioritize parking in new buildings.

The policy aligns with broader transport reforms, like introducing pod taxis in areas like Mira-Bhayandar and Bandra-Kurla Complex to boost public transport. By making parking a prerequisite, the state aims to promote accountability among vehicle owners and ease the burden on overstretched civic infrastructure.

Additionally, the rule could push residents toward smaller, more parking-friendly vehicles or public transport, reducing environmental impact. The government is also exploring tech-driven solutions, like app-based parking rentals and underground parking plazas, to support the policy.

International Examples to Learn From

Maharashtra’s rule isn’t entirely new other countries have similar policies. Japan’s “Shako Shomei Sho” (Parking Space Certificate) requires car buyers in cities like Tokyo to prove they have a parking space before registration. This has helped curb illegal parking and limit car ownership in crowded urban areas.

In Singapore, strict vehicle ownership controls, including high registration fees and a Certificate of Entitlement system, ensure only those with parking access own cars. While Singapore doesn’t always mandate parking proof, new developments must meet strict parking requirements.

Closer to home, Chennai introduced a similar policy in March 2025, requiring proof of parking for vehicle registration to manage its 92 lakh vehicles against just 14,000 parking slots. These examples show that linking parking to vehicle ownership can work, though enforcement and infrastructure remain key challenges.

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