Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has withdrawn its pay-and-park fee system for private buses stationed near the Subhashchandra Bhose Ground in Bhayandar West. The decision, taken only months after its implementation, has reignited congestion and parking issues in the area, raising concerns among residents and transport planners alike.
The civic administration had introduced the parking fee last year to regulate the growing number of private buses parked along public roads and to generate municipal revenue. Under the system, a contractor was appointed to collect the charges from operators using designated parking zones. The move initially helped decongest the surrounding roads and improved accessibility for pedestrians and local commuters. However, the MBMC’s decision to suspend fee collection has led to the return of unregulated parking near the busy locality. According to civic sources, the fee system was rolled back following operational disputes between the transport department and the traffic police. While the corporation charged parking fees, the police continued to fine parked buses for traffic violations, creating a situation of dual penalties for operators.
A senior official from the vehicle department stated that the double enforcement led to widespread dissatisfaction among bus owners and was hampering compliance. “The intention was to bring order, not conflict. Since both agencies were acting independently, the system became unsustainable,” the official said. Urban mobility experts say the withdrawal highlights a recurring challenge faced by many growing cities — the lack of coordination between civic and enforcement authorities in managing shared spaces. “Parking policy is not just about fees; it’s a crucial tool to balance public access, road safety, and efficient land use,” an urban transport analyst observed.
Residents, meanwhile, have voiced frustration over the return of parked buses along narrow roads, claiming it has worsened traffic movement and increased accident risks. Locals say the situation also raises questions about the city’s long-term parking management strategy, especially as the number of private vehicles continues to rise. Experts have called for a comprehensive mobility plan that integrates parking regulation with public transport planning and pedestrian safety measures. Sustainable parking management, they argue, can reduce congestion, cut emissions from idling vehicles, and reclaim urban spaces for community use.
If not restructured soon, the suspension of the pay-and-park system may undermine Mira Bhayandar’s broader goals of orderly, sustainable urban mobility.
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