Congress neta faces opposition over parking proposal

Congress corporator Javed Juneja had recently presented a notice of motion in the BMC house, proposing that road setback that is available after redevelopment of an old building in south Mumbai be made available for public parking.  The proposal saw opposition from various corners, including corporators from south Mumbai itself. 

Juneja has now decided that he will once again present the proposal so that the road can be used for public parking and decongest south Mumbai streets. The debate this issue has led to is whether the roads in front of the building be used as public parking or be kept specially for residents of the building adjoining the road.

Opposing free parking for residents, Juneja said, “The proposal would have helped local residents as this road setback belongs to BMC. Anyway, when a building is redeveloped, the developer is expected to give parking to residents. Why then should they be allowed to park on the road?”

He claims that residents can park their vehicles but BMC should charge parking fees and allow other vehicles to be parked too. 

Rais Shaikh, another corporator from south Mumbai who raised an objection to this proposal, said, “This proposal destroys the basic purpose of parking policy, where we are allowing residents to use the road adjoining their buildings.”

Juneja for now has gone back to his drawing table to redesign the proposal and seek further support. 

The BMC is divided over whether the road setback be given for free to residents of adjoining buildings or be made a public parking space.