Residents of Jain Society in Sion, one of Mumbai’s older residential clusters, are grappling with increasing congestion and safety concerns as commercial vehicles occupy most of their internal lanes. The once-quiet streets critical lifelines for nearly ten mid-century buildings with limited on-site parking have gradually transformed into holding areas for app-based cabs, taxis and small goods carriers. The situation, according to residents, has intensified over the past two years, leaving families feeling unsafe and deprived of essential mobility space.
Local groups say the issue escalated when drivers began using lanes 18, 24A, 24B and 25 as informal rest points and overnight parking spots. Many of these vehicles remain unmoved for days, some showing signs of abandonment such as punctured tyres or rusting windshields. Residents argue that this not only restricts already scarce parking for locals but also creates uncomfortable conditions for women, children and older adults navigating the neighbourhood.A resident who has participated in repeated communications with the traffic police said the community is not opposed to commercial drivers earning a livelihood but believes their presence in residential-only lanes has created an imbalance.“We have no grievance with the drivers,” the resident explained, “but the lack of regulation has made our streets feel unsafe, especially during early mornings and late evenings.”Concerns also extend to behavioural issues. Groups of drivers are frequently seen taking meal breaks, smoking or idling around vehicles. Residents worry that the presence of trucks parked for extended durations provides cover for activities they describe as “uncomfortable” or potentially illegal. With households occupying ageing buildings and relying entirely on roadside parking, this daily congestion has eroded what little public realm the neighbourhood possesses.
Traffic police officials acknowledge receiving repeated complaints and maintain that action is taken whenever officers are alerted. A senior official in the Matunga divisionsaid enforcement teams are deployed promptly, adding that personnel would soon be stationed round-the-clock to prevent unauthorised parking. However, officials emphasise that current regulations do not specifically prohibit commercial cabs from parking in local areas unless they violate no-parking signage, obstruct carriageways or engage in double parking.Urban planners note that the issue reflects a broader challenge facing dense cities such as Mumbai where mobility systems evolve faster than neighbourhood regulations. App-based mobility, last-mile delivery and flexible working hours have increased pressure on informal parking spaces. Experts say cities must rethink how residential streets are shared, especially in older precincts where dedicated parking was never part of the original planning framework.
For communities like Jain Society, solutions may lie in a combination of stricter enforcement, clearer parking rules for commercial fleets, and safer street management practices. Long term, planners argue that equitable and gender-inclusive mobility requires re-prioritising residential lanes for people rather than stationary vehicles, ensuring that vulnerable users feel secure and that limited public space is used responsibly.
Mumbai Residents Battle Cab Parking Chaos As Sion Lanes Face Daily Blockage
