MM: BMC identifies 20 spots for parking zones: March 18, 2008

To deal with the severe parking problems in south Mumbai, the BMC has identified and suggested 20 spots to the traffic department to be converted into parking zones.

  Earlier, the traffic department, following complaints from citizens over lack of parking space, had written to the BMC requesting it to identify spaces suitable for parking zones.

The traffic police will now check the feasibility of these spots before declaring them as parking zones under a pay-and-park scheme.

 Since south Mumbai comprises business centres like Colaba, Cuffe Parade and Churchgate, there is a heavy rush of office-goers – many of them coming in their own vehicles – during the day. This leads to severe shortage of parking space and traffic snarls.

 So severe is the problem that the traffic police earned nearly Rs 4.47 crore in fine from the vehicles parked in no-parking areas last year.

   “Since there is no parking place, I have to often park my car in no-parking zones. And then, I end up paying hefty fines. Sometimes, it’s even difficult to park a two-wheeler. There is an urgent need for some parking space,” said Sagar Ugale, who runs a transport business.

   “We wrote a letter to the BMC, requesting it to suggest some parking plots in south Mumbai. We receive a lot of complaints from people and NGOs about the problem. Most of the places have put up no-parking boards,” said S S Salunkhe, DCP (Traffic), City. 

   “Now we are checking the feasibility of these 20 spots. Once this is done, we will send a report to the BMC after which we will start pay-and-park facilities,” said Salunkhe.

  The 20 spots the BMC suggested to the traffic police for parking zones under a pay-and-park scheme are: 

   Convent Street, Kum. J T Sipahi Malani Marg, Oak Lane, Ash Lane, Mint Road, Homjee Road, Store Lane, Ambalal Doshi Marg, Nagindas Master Road, Baddrudin Tayyabji Marg, Perin Nariman Street, Marine Lines Cross Lane No 2, Wood House Road, K B Patil Marg, Jeevan Bima Marg, P J Ramchandani Marg, S T L Waswani Marg, Babhai Chenoi M, G D Somani Marg, P D’Mello Road.