After deliberating on the revision of parking rates for more than 13 years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to propose new rates based on the principles of the National Urban Transport Policy, with a key point being that a high parking fee should be one of the mechanisms for discouraging the use of personal vehicles. The civic administration is planning a parking fee of Rs 22 for four-wheelers up to six hours and Rs 7 for two-wheelers. The rates will double in the slab of six hours and parking beyond 12 hours will be discouraged.

The revision of parking fees is necessitated now to fix the tariff and float the tenders for the proposed construction of seven multi-storeyed parking slots and two underground parking facilities — Regal and Crawford Market. The parking rates are devised by BMC’s consultant for parking projects, Urban Mass Transit Company, and they are expected to be tabled for approval at the standing committee meeting on Wednesday.

“The new parking rates will be uniform for the multi-storeyed lots as well as on-street ones. This will make commuters go and park their vehicles in the dedicated complexes,” an official said.

If approved, the rates will remain the same for the first two years and then go up five per cent every two years. The proposal also includes a monthly parking pass.

Standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar said the civic body is firm on revising the rates this time. “There will only be a nominal rise in the rates. The existing rates are the lowest among the metro cities,” he said.