Mumbai: Two parking lots ease traffic marginally in Andheri West

MUMBAI: Ever since Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, gained fame as a prime shopping market in the late 1980s, residents have been beset by double and triple parking that causes interminable traffic jams and delays. TOI had reported as recently as January 28 how the construction of the new Metro 6 to Vikhroli had further narrowed the width of the road.
A measure of relief has come now with the opening of the BMC's free public parking lot (PPL) at the periphery of the complex, beside Runwal Elegante where Kamat Club once stood. It is a few metres from Infiniti Mall.
"This parking lot has made a small difference but the timings need to be extended to coincide with peak shopping hours in the evening. Currently the PPL closes around sunset. It has to be kept open at least 18 hours a day. If it is closed from 1.00am to 7.00am it is all right. Also the signage needs to be prominent," said activist Dhaval Shah. "Only local residents are familiar with this facility."
The other BMC parking lot in Andheri West is located at Kabra Metro One along the arterial J P Road at Bon Bon Junction. "The timings here are presently 8.00am to 8.00pm but they will be extended to 24 hours now that we have appointed a contractor," said K West ward assistant engineer (maintenance) Umesh Bodkhe.
Residents, activists and shop owners near each location report a marginal drop in illegal parking since the new fines were imposed. "Large signboards are visible across Lokhandwala Market Road right up to Lane 2 warning that violators will be fined Rs 23,250. This puts fear into errant motorists. Beyond that though, Lanes 3 and 4 remain clogged with parked cars since they fall outside the ambit of the 500 metre boundary of the PPL," said local businessman Shashi Sinha.
"We have noticed the number of illegally parked cars fall by 30-40%," said Sharad Gavkar of the D N Nagar traffic division. "Severe fines are a deterrent, plus we do conduct towing drives."
Assistant municipal commissioner of K West ward Prashant Gaikwad said, "The parking lot near Lokhandwala has a capacity of 144 cars while the one at Seven Bungalows accommodates 500 vehicles. This new carrot and stick policy works well. We are levying heavy fines yet offering free parking space so why not utilise it? Later also, we will charge only reasonable parking fees."
The Lokhandwala parking lot is open till 10.00pm, said Gaikwad adding that a contractor has been appointed till 11.00pm