BMC’s Initiative to Solve Traffic Jam in Mumbai
With limited space for parking, Mumbai has been crippled by the traffic menace. Hence, the revised Development Plan (DP) has proposed to construct underground public parking spaces underneath the reserved open plots like gardens, playgrounds or entertainment parks. To make the proposal lucrative for the builders, the government plans to offer builders additional FSI/TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) for constructing up to two floors of underground parking beneath the open space portion.
According to experts, the idea of underground parking is attractive to solve the problem of growing number of vehicles and the space scarcity to park them. Due to limited parking space, people park their vehicles haphazardly on both sides of the road, thus narrowing the path for the traffic flow. The Mumbai RTO is trying its best, using novel methods such as e-challans, but in vain. The only hurdle in the proposal is the protest against the development of underground space beneath a playground. The protest has been there since long but, looking at the traffic jam situation in Mumbai, it seems the protesters should also have a broad-minded attitude on the proposal.
As regards Mulund, BMC T-Ward has erected 4 Public Parking Zones. Though just 2 Parking Zones are operational, the tragedy is that even these 2 Parking Zones are not being adequately utilized by the motorists to give Mulundkars a relief from the traffic jams. The remaining 2 Parking Zones are ready, but lying abandoned. Both these Parking Zones are desperately waiting for the green signal from BMC and RTO authorities, but in vain. As a result, motorists are forced to park their vehicles close to these Parking Zones. Though there is the fear of the RTO penalty, motorists claim they have no option.
Amidst such a scenario it is difficult to predict whether the underground parking scheme will be beneficial for Mulundkars or not.
Mulundkars Speak:
Shivram Karkera: The proposal for underground parking is baseless because, due to underground construction, there is a lot of destruction of natural resources. It will also adversely impact the environment. I think the government should not waste the Mumbaikars’ tax money in stupid projects like underground parking.
K. Ramachandran: I think it is a laudable solution for the traffic menace in Mumbai. Due to an increase in vehicles, there is scarcity of space for parking. Hence, underground parking can lessen the burden of vehicles on the roads and improve the traffic flow. Underground parking must be started at places that have no parking zone.
Dharmesh Mishra (Social Worker): The various development projects going on in Mumbai and the increase in vehicles have surely escalated the traffic menace in the city. Hence, to overcome the traffic problem, the idea of underground parking is excellent. But the major problem is that the implementation of the proposal is difficult. Secondly, the BMC is finding difficulty in obtaining contractors for the already-constructed Public Parking Zones in Mulund. In addition, the huge expenditure on the maintenance of the abandoned Parking Zones is another burden on BMC T-Ward. Hence, it is advisable that BMC T-Ward should first make the 4 parking zones operational with success and later think about the underground parking zone.
