Mumbai:
In a desperate bid to increase parking space for vehicles in the city, the civic body is mulling over a proposal it received recently to install an automated electromechanical parking system, which can perform the miracle of accommodating from six to 16 cars in a space that is originally allotted to two cars.
The proposal was submitted before the BMC five months ago by EBT Corp, a Delhi based company. Named the Rotary Car Parking System, it is based on the IPECP (Independent Programmed Electromechani-cal Car Parking) technology, which was developed by a South Korean company named Dongyang PC Inc. EBT Corp happens to be the Indian partner of the firm.
An official from the BMC's traffic department said, "The proposed parking system seems quite feasible it would not require extra space, or heavy construction work. It is a simply a machine, which could be used anywhere in the city. It is a state of the art technology that is fresh out of the labs, never tried anywhere in India before this."
Once a car enters the slot on the ground level, it will be moved mechanically upward in a vertical manner, similar to the movement of seats on a giant wheel.
The system is also equipped with a number of safety devices, including photo sensors on all sides, over load protection, emergency stop devices, over-run stoppers on the pallet, and two devices which will prevent the car from falling.
The installation of the system requires a maximum of three days; it can be shifted to another location in 15 days. The system also consumes low power, and can function at temperatures ranging from minus 45 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius.
Admitting that he was favourably disposed towards the system, Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta said, "We need to see whether the system is feasible, and whether there are any takers for the system in the city. We have asked the company to find a suitable location for the installation of the system, and they have chosen a spot in Chembur. We are going to install it on trial basis, and charge the current parking rates. If the system is accepted by the vehicle owners, we will rope in the firm for a contract next year."
He added that the proposal also seemed sound from the financial standpoint, saying, "Constructing an underground car parking lot is pretty expensive, costing Rs 24 lakh per car.
In this system, we would be spending Rs five lakh per car. Moreover, the study shows that they can be used anywhere.
"However, we have to exercise caution; if the machines are placed between two buildings, the fire brigade could have a problem," informed Gupta.
The BMC's Standing Committee Chairman Rahul Shewale said, "The automated system looks fantastic, and will surely decrease the problem of parking in the city.
It can also be used in residential buildings. The system will be placed near the BMC swimming pool in Chembur, on trial basis. The company will have to generate revenue by charging the current parking rates."
There are 400 such parking units in South Korea and 100 in 26 countries all over the world, in countries like Singapore, UAE, Denmark, Iran and Romania. The machine would be the first of its kind to be installed in India.
The proposal was submitted before the BMC five months ago by EBT Corp, a Delhi based company. Named the Rotary Car Parking System, it is based on the IPECP (Independent Programmed Electromechani-cal Car Parking) technology, which was developed by a South Korean company named Dongyang PC Inc. EBT Corp happens to be the Indian partner of the firm.
An official from the BMC's traffic department said, "The proposed parking system seems quite feasible it would not require extra space, or heavy construction work. It is a simply a machine, which could be used anywhere in the city. It is a state of the art technology that is fresh out of the labs, never tried anywhere in India before this."
Once a car enters the slot on the ground level, it will be moved mechanically upward in a vertical manner, similar to the movement of seats on a giant wheel.
The system is also equipped with a number of safety devices, including photo sensors on all sides, over load protection, emergency stop devices, over-run stoppers on the pallet, and two devices which will prevent the car from falling.
The installation of the system requires a maximum of three days; it can be shifted to another location in 15 days. The system also consumes low power, and can function at temperatures ranging from minus 45 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius.
Admitting that he was favourably disposed towards the system, Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta said, "We need to see whether the system is feasible, and whether there are any takers for the system in the city. We have asked the company to find a suitable location for the installation of the system, and they have chosen a spot in Chembur. We are going to install it on trial basis, and charge the current parking rates. If the system is accepted by the vehicle owners, we will rope in the firm for a contract next year."
He added that the proposal also seemed sound from the financial standpoint, saying, "Constructing an underground car parking lot is pretty expensive, costing Rs 24 lakh per car.
In this system, we would be spending Rs five lakh per car. Moreover, the study shows that they can be used anywhere.
"However, we have to exercise caution; if the machines are placed between two buildings, the fire brigade could have a problem," informed Gupta.
The BMC's Standing Committee Chairman Rahul Shewale said, "The automated system looks fantastic, and will surely decrease the problem of parking in the city.
It can also be used in residential buildings. The system will be placed near the BMC swimming pool in Chembur, on trial basis. The company will have to generate revenue by charging the current parking rates."
There are 400 such parking units in South Korea and 100 in 26 countries all over the world, in countries like Singapore, UAE, Denmark, Iran and Romania. The machine would be the first of its kind to be installed in India.
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