The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing significant backlash from local residents over its recent implementation of a pay-and-park scheme near Joggers Park in Bandra West. The initiative, designed to introduce parking fees on a stretch of road adjacent to the popular park, has sparked strong opposition from the community.
The BMC awarded a contract for the on-street parking facility, leading to charges for vehicles parked on the road near Joggers Park. This move has been met with discontent from morning walkers, joggers, and local families who frequent the park. According to former corporator, who is leading the opposition, the decision to impose parking fees is both sudden and unwarranted. “Why impose a fee now when people have been parking there without charges for years?” he questioned, adding that the imposition of fees feels like an undue burden on the community. He stressed that the area already suffers from a shortage of green spaces, and this move appears to be an attempt to inconvenience the park’s visitors.
The BJP Government has supported the local opposition, with residents from Bandra participating in a signature drive to contest the new scheme. Over 250 signatures were collected in protest, with many locals expressing their disapproval of the scheme. The critics argue that the park, a beloved community asset for decades, should remain a space for respite without additional financial constraints. They also claim that the pay-and-park scheme is poorly planned and has not considered public opinion adequately. Opponents also express concerns that the scheme might exacerbate parking and traffic congestion on Carter Road.
They have noted an increase in hawking activities in the area following the scheme’s introduction, which further complicates the situation. In defence of the scheme, a BMC official stated that the pay-and-park initiative is intended to bring order to the area and prevent haphazard parking that has previously caused traffic issues. The official assured that the scheme aims to regulate parking and enhance traffic management by providing a designated monitoring system for park visitors.
