Nashik Municipal Corporation's Fifth Attempt to Launch Pay-and-Park System
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has once again issued bids for its long-planned pay-and-park project, marking the fifth attempt after consistently receiving poor responses from contractors. In a strategic move to enhance the initiative's appeal and financial viability, the civic body has significantly expanded the contract's scope to include the towing of vehicles found parked in designated no-parking zones.
Expanded Contract and Financial Details
The deadline for submitting bids is set for March 27, after which they will be opened for evaluation. Parking charges have been finalized, with two-wheelers being charged Rs 10 for the first two hours and Rs 20 for two to six hours. For three- and four-wheelers, the rates are Rs 20 for the initial two hours and Rs 40 for two to six hours.
Under the first phase, NMC plans to operate pay-and-park services at 28 locations across central Nashik, comprising 22 onstreet and six offstreet sites. The contract will run for five years and three months, including a three-month implementation window, and may be extended by an additional two years upon mutual agreement.
Addressing Nashik's Parking Crisis
With the Nashik Regional Transport Office's jurisdiction now home to nearly 23 lakh vehicles as of March 31, 2025, the city's parking infrastructure is severely strained. Civic officials have highlighted that the rapid surge in vehicular numbers, without corresponding expansion in parking facilities, has resulted in significant congestion, mobility issues, and widespread traffic violations.
NMC officials explained that they have floated bids for the fifth time specifically to operate pay-and-park spaces at around 26 locations in the Nashik West division of the municipal corporation. This area covers the major market zones of the city and remains consistently overcrowded, making it a critical focus for the project.
Contractor Responsibilities and Enforcement Measures
The selected contractor will be responsible for setting up the complete parking system, including deploying manpower and vehicles for towing operations at designated no-parking spots listed in the tender. To prevent spillover parking near authorised sites, the civic body will enforce strict no-parking zones within a 150-200-metre radius of each pay-and-park location.
Vehicles parked in violation will be towed, with penalties fixed at Rs 600 for two- and three-wheelers, Rs 725 for cars and jeeps, and between Rs 1,100 and Rs 2,000 for heavy passenger vehicles. Officials emphasised that these measures are designed to improve compliance and ease traffic movement throughout the city.
Previous Challenges and Future Hopes
Officials noted that bids had been reissued for approximately 26 locations in the Nashik West division, which houses some of the city's busiest commercial zones and routinely faces heavy crowding. "Earlier, we received inadequate responses. In the last round, five agencies applied but were disqualified due to incomplete documentation. This time, we anticipate a stronger response and are hopeful of finalising a competent contractor," an official stated.
The inclusion of towing services is seen as a key incentive to attract contractors, as it adds a revenue stream and addresses a pressing urban issue. NMC remains optimistic that this expanded scope will lead to a successful tender award, ultimately helping to alleviate Nashik's chronic parking and traffic woes.
