Parking menace near NMIMS refuses to die

A move by the traffic police to dissuade illegal parking opposite Mithibai College at Vile Parle seems to be backfiring, residents have alleged.

Tired of the perennial issue of vehicles being parked illegally near the eateries adjacent the gate of NMIMS college, the Santa Cruz traffic division decided to place barricades tied with ropes to ensure motorists do not park there. However, the move has failed to make an impact.

"People are now parking their vehicles next to the barricades, which is causing more traffic snarls at the corner. There is a bus stop a little ahead, and auto rickshaws too wait for passengers — this adds the chaos," said film-maker and activist Ashoke Pandit, adding that while the traffic police might have had a good intention, the move has only increased the problem.

Pandit said that this road is extremely important as it leads to Cooper Hospital and ambulances use it frequently. "The road has become a mess due to the illegal parking menace. It also puts at risk students who are studying in these colleges," he said.

Meanwhile, local MLA Ameet Satam (BJP) said that one of the biggest problems was the eateries lined up near the college. "Most of them are Aarey stalls. I will be writing to the Dairy department to either cancel their licences or shift them elsewhere. If they move away, there will be no parking issues," he said.

A senior police officer from Santa Cruz traffic police station said, "We have placed our constables to ensure vehicles are not parked. We also expect people to have some civic sense."