A week after opening, only 200 motorists used Vashi parking lot

UNUSED Civic body to urge traffic cops to take action against motorists parking illegally in the area

VASHI: Almost a week after it was inaugurated, the pay-and park-facility developed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) in sector 16, Vashi, has received tepid response from motorists.

Ironically, the parking plaza, which was built with the aim of decongesting the busy sector 17 area, drew only 200 motorists through the week.

The civic body has built the plaza by covering a nullah, that extends from the MTNL building to St Lawrence School, at a cost of Rs5 crore. However, it is because of the lack of publicity by local ward officials that motorists have not availed of its benefit.

Motorists continue to park their vehicles in the lane outside the post office lane or on the road opposite it. Double parking also continues in the area. There is also a need for the civic body needs to put up signages across sectors 16 and 17, to create inform motorists about the facility.

“The facility has just started and we need to give it some time. We are also speaking to the traffic police and I will meet deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vijay Patil to discuss the issue,” said Mohan Dagaonkar, city engineer. “We will request them to ensure that the motorists do not park at other places in the road.”

Dagaonkar said that it was important that local ward officials show more interest in helping NMMC projects succeed and to help the corporation earn revenue.

“The primary objective of the project was to cover the nullah. The parking lot is an added advantage. Motorists, too, need to show some discipline when we have built a facility for them.”