Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is grappling with a serious issue as five of its designated pay-and-park areas in the M/East ward have been illegally commandeered by parking mafias.
These unlawful activities have not only deprived the civic body of legitimate revenue but have also led to a surge in unauthorised parking and the unchecked operation of private cab services. The affected locations include prime spots on the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road at Shivaji Nagar, Ahilyabai Holkar Marg, Bajiprabhu Deshpande Marg, and the 90-Feet Road. Another location identified is on Waman Tukaram Patil Marg in Govandi East. These areas, initially meant to be regulated parking zones, have now become hotbeds of illegal parking activities, largely due to the influence and intimidation tactics employed by these mafias. A civic official from the ward, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the extent of the problem. According to the official, the mafias have a stronghold in Mankhurd, Govandi, and Shivaji Nagar, making it virtually impossible for legitimate contractors to secure parking lot tenders. “Whenever there is an e-tendering process for these parking spots, there is often no response due to the prevailing fear of the mafia. In several instances, contractors have been physically assaulted for attempting to bid,” the official disclosed.
The situation is exacerbated by individuals who own fleets of up to 200 vehicles, which are used to run private cab services. These vehicle owners, allegedly in collusion with the mafias, exploit the BMC’s pay-and-park zones without paying the requisite fees, thereby evading lawful charges and contributing to the disorder. This illegal occupation of parking spaces has also led to operational challenges for the BMC. The civic body has repeatedly raised the issue with the traffic department, starting from February this year. One of the primary concerns Is the obstruction caused by these illegally parked vehicles, which hampers the daily cleaning and maintenance of roads, leading to a deterioration in civic services.
Despite these ongoing issues, the mafias continue to dominate these parking areas, creating a pressing need for stringent action by the authorities. The unchecked growth of such illegal activities not only undermines the rule of law but also poses a significant threat to the safety and convenience of residents in these areas. The BMC’s efforts to curb these activities will require robust collaboration between various municipal departments and law enforcement agencies. This situation underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to dismantle the influence of these parking mafias and restore lawful order to the city’s parking management system.
