MiD DAY's quest for parking space at some of the most crucial junctions in the city proved to be as arduous as it was costly
MiD DAY's quest for parking space at some of the most crucial junctions in the city proved to be as arduous as it was costly
In Mumbai, finding space for your car is as difficult as finding space to shelter yourself. MiD DAY decided to visit the most teeming spots in the city, and test the availability of parking space. The search proved to be elusive in four of the eight spots visited. At the four spots where parking was available, the rates were, "off the charts".
Nariman Point
At this industrial hub in the southern end of the city, the exercise was similar to finding a needle in a haystack.
MiD DAY reached BMC's lot near Express Towers, only to be denied entry. The next stop was at Air India building, where a last spot was grabbed in the nick of time. A mere 20-minute halt cost Rs 10. The receipt came sans the u00a0duration of stay, and the attendant entered the time of parking begrudgingly and incorrectly.
u00a0
Crawford Market
The moment these correspondents pulled in, they were asked the duration of stay. On being told that the expected stay was to last about half an hour, the attendants shook their heads dismissively, making it clear that the short halt wasn't profitable enough for them. Another attendant promised help on condition that he would be handed the keys, providing a specious explanation that the double lane parking system required it.
Colaba
At the lane adjoining Cafe Mondegar, a spot was found without much ado. On returning 25 minutes later, however, the attendant demanded Rs 20 with a straight face. When asked for a receipt, his expression quickly turned into one of shock, and he handed out one sans timings. When this was brought to his attention, he moved ahead, unperturbed.
Lower Parel
At this evolving business district, parking has recently become a perennial problem. At the MSRDC lot under the flyover, infrequent visitors are turned away and regulars are privileged, albeit after purchasing passes. The remaining option is to park on the road, or inside the malls at exorbitant rates.
Deenanath Mangeshkar hall, Vile Parle
The parking lot here was packed to capacity, and the team had to wait for ten minutes before finding a spot. The vehicles here were so tightly packed that it was quite a task to manoeuvre out of the car after it was parked. Rs 10 was charged for a 15-minute stay, and a receipt provided reluctantly, upon insistence.u00a0
Juhu beach, near shiv sagar
The car park near Hotel Ramada was full, and the attendant at the lot near Shiv Sagar demanded money before allowing entry, charging Rs 30. When the correspondents returned 15 minutes later, he expressed surprise, claiming that he had charged a lump sum for six hours, assuming that the stay would be long. At the exit, an attendant claimed the receipt, shredding it before returning it.
Irla shopping centre, Vile Parle
The parking lot here was narrow and squalid, adjoining a nullah. Parking here required the best of one's manoeuvering skills, as the cars were lined up close next to each other. For the first time, the team received a receipt without asking for one.
Cuffe Parade
No parking spots were available at this busy junction.
Parking rates
MSRDC: Charges are Rs 5 for the first one hour for four wheelers, Rs 10 for buses, u00a0Rs 2 for three wheelers, and Rs 1 for two wheelers.
BMC: Charges are Rs 5 for the first one hour for two wheelers, and an additional u00a0Rs 5 for every additional two hours. Charges are Rs 10 for the first one hour for four wheelers, and an additional u00a0Rs 5 for every additional two hours.
The number of private cars in the city has touched a dizzying two million, and the figures seem to be multiplying each day. To make matters worse, the city's car parks are ill-managed affairs, where vehicles jostle for space. Keeping this in mind, MiD DAY will be bringing you a series of reports on Mumbai's parking woes, trying to shed light on the various factors responsible for this growing crisis in the city. We will enquire into where, how and why commuters face parking problems.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
