Mumbadevi temple gets pay-and-park

In order to ease traffic problems and end the issue of double parking near the Mumbadevi Temple in south Mumbai, the Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started a pay-and-park facility at a ground behind the temple on a trial basis. It has the capacity to accommodate around 100 two-wheelers and cars.

Earlier this month, the civic body had received a no objection from the traffic department to start the parking facility on a trial basis.

Jivak Ghegadmal, assistant commissioner, C ward, said that the parking facility will be thrown open to the public in a week's time as the process of awarding the contract is in its last leg. Motorists are allowed to park their vehicles free of cost at the moment.

The BMC has awarded the Rs 10.7 lakh contract for six months and the contractor will charge as per the new parking policy.

"We had sent a reminder to the traffic department and finally we got permission to start the parking facility," said Ghegadmal, and added, "The size of the plot is around 8,000 sq metre while the civic body will utilise only half of it for the pay-and-park facility."

An official from BMC's C ward said, "There is a big problem of double parking in the area and this can be solved by providing parking facilities."

The parking along the road near the temple was closed after the bomb blast in July 2011. "As vehicles cannot be parked along the road near the temple, vehicles are parked on adjoining roads," the official said.

Residents, as well as shop owners, have welcomed the civic body's decision to create a parking facility in the area. Ghegadmal said that a permanent parking facility on the said plot will depend on the response the facility receives during the trail period.

AREA WITH MASSIVE TRAFFIC ISSUES

• The pay-and-park facility will be on a trial basis for now and can accommodate around 100 vehicles.
   
• Areas near the temple such as Daginabazar in Kalbadevi witness huge traffic chaos most of the time.
   
• The condition deteriorates during peak hours when even walking on the footpaths in the area becomes difficult.
   
• According to civic officials, the area sees huge footfalls for trade-related activities and also of those visiting the temple.