Mumbai: Differences in the BJP have surfaced over the implementation of the new pay and park policy as some leaders are for the same while some against.
On Wednesday, two local residents’ groups led by BJP MLA Raj Purohit and corporator Makarand Narvekar called on ward A assistant commissioner Kiran Dighavkar regarding the implementation of pay and park policy.
The delegation led by Mr Purohit expressed its opposition against the parking policy saying that residents will have to pay exorbitant parking fees.
Mahendra Hemdev, member of the Marine Drive Residents Association said, “The parking rates are too steep and not everyone can afford it. In addition to this, the BMC has not made it clear how they would cope up with shortfall of parking spaces. The rates of parking will go up after first year, which is also a cause of concern. If the reason for the new policy is primarily to decongest, then why the steep parking rates for residents?”
However, various resident groups like Colaba Residents Association (CRA), My Dream Colaba, Colaba Advanced Locality Management (CALM), Maker Towers Society etc., led by Mr Narvekar, demanded that the BMC should continue with the new policy. “There is a lot of nuisance due to illegal parking by commercial and heavy vehicles in our area. The new policy will help us to get rid of this problem. Hence we have extended our support for the policy,” said Mr Narvekar.
Ghanshyam Hegde from the CRA said that South Mumbai residents are willing to pay hiked charges provided the BMC offers them assured parking. “I don’t mind paying more money, but the civic body has to give us assured parking space. I can’t keep switching my parking space everyday. But providing assured parking is not difficult considering that BMC has done this at a couple of parking lots in Colaba,” he said.
Parking policy
Residents in South Mumbai are livid over BMC’s decision to enforce parking rates for vehicles, which are parked on roads outside their chawls and buildings. The new pay and park policy, which is implemented on pilot basis in A ward, will be later implemented in the entire city. There are lot of old chawls and buildings in areas like Girgaum, Chira Bazaar, Parel, Lalbaug, Worli, Prabhadevi etc. Residents there would have to pay night as well as day charges. According to the policy, residents can secure parking from 8 pm to 8 am by hiring spaces outside their building. The night parking is only for residents’ cars. Extra charges are applicable for daytime parking, but they will be optional.
