BMC approaches cops over fee at free parking spaces in Sobo

ALL WARDS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DISPLAY BOARDS OUTSIDE FREE PARKING LOTS, STATING THAT ANY FEE LEVIED AT THESE SPOTS IS ILLEGAL

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wrote to police stations in south Mumbai on Tuesday, to lodge complaint against miscreants who illegally charge money from motorists at four free parking lots in south Mumbai.

These free parking spaces are located at Free Press Journal Road, Mumbai Samachar Road, and Mahakavi Bhushan Road near Nariman Point and Marine Drive.

On Tuesday, the BMC officials had conducted a surprise inspection and had noticed miscreants, on the pretext of maintaining the parking lot, extorted money from vehicle-owners.

A civic official said, “There are people who pose as contractors and charge unauthorised fee from motorists, on the pretext of maintaining the parking lot. Our staff took photographs of these people and submitted them to the police, so they can be arrested.”

Vijay Singhal, the additional municipal commissioner in-charge of the roads and traffic department, also appointed three teams to inspect all the 32 free of cost street parking lots allotted by the BMC across the city to inspect unauthorised parking charges.

The teams will also inspect if motorists are parking their vehicles at unauthorised spaces and other irregularities.

Singhal also directed all the 24 assistant civic chiefs to inspect areas under their ward, for unauthorised parking and fee collection, and lodge police complaints accordingly.

In a similar incident in January, following complaints from the BMC and motorists, police had busted a gang of miscreants who would charge fee illegally for parking on the street.

The gang would also carry fake receipt books and operate in the areas of Colaba, Cuff Parade, Marine Drive, and Churchgate.