Traffic cops to direct parked vehicles to BEST terminals

The city police's traffic branch recently carried out a survey and found that 80 per cent of the BEST depots and terminals, that have allowed public vehicle parking in their space, were lying vacant. Following this, the traffic branch has now instructed its men that whenever and wherever they spot anyone trying to park their heavy or light vehicles on the roads, to direct them to the BEST depots and terminals for parking.

On Tuesday, the traffic police issued a notification wherein they stated that there has been a steep increase in the number of heavy vehicles plying on the roads in Mumbai and that they are occupying large spaces and causing severe obstruction to traffic flow.

The traffic police restricted the entry and plying of all heavy vehicles and private buses in Mumbai from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm, while in south Mumbai from 7 am to midnight.

A traffic police officer said, "Heavy vehicle drivers are in the habit of parking free of cost anywhere they feel like. While we had exempted school buses, vehicles carrying the staff of private companies and essential commodities from this restriction, they too were brought under the ambit of parking restrictions. They are supposed to be parked in authorised pay and park slots."

He added, "There are 27 BEST depots and 31 BEST bus terminals across the city which allow parking for private vehicles."