A Bhandup corporator says reserve open spaces below metros, monorail and flyovers for legal parking
In a crammed city like Mumbai, any open space fast turns into a hawkers’ zone, dumping ground or parking lot. The corridors below flyovers, metros and the monorail are no exception.
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Rupesh Waingankar, an MNS corporator from Bhandup, has submitted a proposal to make these corridors across the city legal parking spaces, and it comes up for hearing on January 7.
Rupesh Waingankar said, “The space below bridges is neglected and dirty. Turning it into legal pay-and-park zones will solve the issue. At many spots, auto-rickshaws, cars and hawkers illegally occupy this space. Another option is to create a jogging track for local residents.”
Waingankar added that posting security guard to man the parking lots will keep a check on illegal activities. The idea may have struck the corporator four years too late, but it has not been mooted with an eye on the forthcoming BMC elections, he claims. “It has no connection with the elections and as of now is a proposal. It may take at least one more election to see it through.”
As per rules of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), parking vehicles under corridors is currently illegal. MMRDA Joint Project Director, Dilip Kawatkar said, “We have not received any proposal from the BMC as of now. We can comment on it once that happens.”