Mumbai: BMC Proposes 50% Parking Cut for Star Hotels Near Airport

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is evaluating a proposal to revise the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, which could allow up to a 50 percent reduction in mandatory parking requirements for star-category hotels in Mumbai. The relaxation would primarily apply to properties located within a two-kilometre radius of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Due to aviation-related height restrictions, constructing multi-level podium parking—permitted up to 32 metres elsewhere in the city—is not feasible near airport zones. The amendment is being processed under Section 37(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, and involves changes to regulations 33(4) and 44.

Under the proposed framework, reduced parking norms would be granted only to star-category hotels, with a safeguard clause ensuring that full parking requirements would apply if the building’s use changes in the future. At present, hotel parking calculations are based on total built-up space, including non-traffic-generating areas such as lobbies, corridors, banquet halls, and service sections. Industry bodies like the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India argue that such norms are outdated and unnecessarily increase construction costs while leading to inefficient land utilisation. They also highlight shifting urban mobility patterns, with greater dependence on public transport and app-based travel options, especially in airport-adjacent zones.

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Civic officials stated that the proposal emerged after a meeting held on December 10, 2025, chaired by municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. During the discussion, both officials and industry representatives pointed to the underutilisation of existing parking spaces in star hotels and the challenges of creating large parking capacities in areas governed by aviation height restrictions. Based on these inputs, the BMC drafted amendments to regulation 33(4) and proposed adding a new explanatory note under regulation 44 to expand the scope of existing relaxations.

However, the proposal has faced opposition from legal experts, who have raised concerns about its broader implications. Advocate YP Singh alleged that the move was influenced by pressure from hotel industry groups seeking to maximise profits. He noted that while podium parking structures are feasible in other parts of the city, such development is restricted near airports due to height limitations and competing space requirements for hotel facilities like rooms and banquet halls. Singh warned that easing parking norms could worsen congestion during peak periods, such as high airport traffic or large events.

According to Singh, parking shortages during peak hours often result in a sudden surge of vehicles, which could spill onto public roads if adequate on-site parking is not available. He also criticised the proposal for overlooking key environmental and infrastructure concerns, particularly in densely populated urban areas already under pressure. Referring to increasing regulatory scrutiny around urban carrying capacity, Singh cautioned that projects with reduced parking provisions might face difficulties in obtaining environmental clearances and could be vulnerable to legal challenges.

He further pointed out that observations by the Supreme Court of India emphasise the need for credible environmental impact assessments before implementing amendments to town planning regulations. Without such assessments, the proposal could be struck down in court. Singh added that regulation 33(4) already allows higher Floor Space Index for star-category hotels, and any additional relaxation in parking requirements could aggravate Mumbai’s traffic congestion under the pretext of regulatory reform. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the BMC’s improvements committee next week before being opened for public feedback and further approval processes.