Emergency parking concept at Vashi gets mixed response

The concept of emergency parking introduced by the NMMC at sector 17 of Vashi has evoked mixed response from residents.

The NMMC is charging Rs100 for an hour for four-wheelers and Rs50 for two-wheelers for parking in the stretch on Vashi Turbhe Road along sector 17 till Arenja Corner.

Local establishments said their business will suffer as their patrons will prefer other areas. A restaurant owner said, “Who will pay Rs100 for parking to eat idli-sambar at my joint? This is going to hit us hard.”

Vikas Dixit, a motorist, said: “This is a steep hike and is causing a lot of problem for us. We are forced to go all the way to the nullah area where we have to park the vehicle.”

There are others who feel it is the right decision. “Unless such a step is introduced, there will be no discipline among motorists. This will decongest Sector 17,” said Sanjeev Gupta, a businessman.

Speaking on the issue, municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, “We have introduced the concept of emergency parking to decongest the area. It is not as if the parking rates have been hiked all over.”

He added, “Motorists can park at just Rs10 an hour on the nullah parking area that is across the road. We have made sure that there are options.” One has to pay Rs100 to park a two-wheeler on the stretch at sector 17 in Vashi.

BACHCHAN KUMAR