Residents-only parking near Taj Hotel if BMC approves: Traffic JCP

The traffic police have told Colaba residents living near Taj Hotel that they will consider residents-only parking outside their buildings and in the bylanes only if the BMC gives a no-objection certificate. Colaba residents had met the joint commissioner of police (traffic) on Thursday day after they alleged vindictive behaviour by traffic cops, who they accused of not doing enough on traffic violations in the area but targeting them.

DNA had reported about some residents complaining that their cars were towed away from the area where they were allowed to park. While doing so, traffic cops had told some residents they were doing so because some of them had been complaining and tweeting.

"The residents had come to meet and all options to ease out traffic situation in the area were discussed. With respect to resident-only parking outside their buildings, they will have to apply to BMC for residents-only parking in the lanes. If the BMC gives a NOC, we will consider it. We have already given NOC to 30 odd buildings," said Amitesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Among the other issues that were raised were taking action on double parking, discouraging private vehicles and valet parking by hotels and restaurants. "He gave solutions to issues such as hassles of valet parking by Taj and commercial cabs in the area," said Mehroo Kotval, a resident of Colaba who attended the meeting. "He was very positive about the issues. He had asked us to approach BMC, which we will be doing once some of the other members of our association are back," said Pervez Cooper, vice-president of Clean Heritage Colaba Residents's Association which met the officials.