Soon, no parking below 5 flyovers

In order to curb the illegal pay-and-park racket below several flyovers in the island city, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to construct walls blocking entry for vehicles.

The five flyovers include the one near Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) flyover, Kurla-CST flyover, Elphinstone flyover, Ferguson flyover in Lower Parel and Kalina-Vakola flyover. 

Earlier, the Bombay high court had also asked the state government to tackle the problem of parking under flyovers. The state home department had in 2008 said parking below flyovers was not only illegal but could also be a security threat, following which parking was banned under all 27 flyovers in the city.

A senior MSRDC official said, “We have a plan wherein we will appoint agency to remove all parked vehicles below these five flyovers and later construct a 3-feet wall on all side leaving human access for maintenance.”

The MSRDC official added, “In a recent meeting with Chief Secretary Sumit Mullick, he also directed the traffic department to find alternatives for all traffic police chowkies below flyovers. However, only temporary porta cabin type structures would be allowed and not permanent cement structures below flyovers.”

“We have not got any reply for towing vehicles for the five flyovers where we plan to construct wall, and hence we are only going ahead with towing and subsequently constructing walls to restrict vehicle entry,” added MSRDC official.