Till contractor hired, plan for free parking at 24 SoBo sites

Mumbai: In the wake of a sting operation by BMC officers that exposed pay-and-park contractors overcharging motorists in several BMC operated parking lots of South Mumbai, the BMC's A Ward has proposed making all pay-and-park facilities in the area free of charge until a new contractor is appointed.The proposal, which covers around 24 parking lots across South Mumbai, is currently awaiting approval from senior civic officials.The move comes amid growing scrutiny of the pay-and-park system following allegations of irregularities and misuse. The 24 parking sites mentioned according to a BMC document awaiting approval include Ballard Estate Phase 1 (from Grand Hotel to Scindia House), Barrister Nath Pai Marg, S N Hardikar Marg, Ramjibhai Kamani Marg and Kermani Road, Narayan Morarji Marg, P J Marg Junction, D N Road, T N Master Lane, K Dubash Marg, Sir P M Road, Esplanade Lane, S C Market (I & II), Horniman Circle, P M Road and Homji Street, T T Shingadia Marg, Nagindas Master Marg, Vitthaldas Thackersey Marg, BMC Building Marg, Hutatma Chowk Number 1, M G Road (near Fashion Street), A M R T Marg, Bhikha Behram Well Junction, Babubhai Chinai Marg, Janmabhoomi Bhavan Marg, and Horniman Circle.A BMC official said, "Even before the sting operation, an assistant engineer from A Ward was suspended on April 18. For the 24 pay-and-park sites—whose tender process is currently pending with the deputy chief engineer (traffic)—the ward office has already submitted a proposal to senior civic authorities to make these sites free of charge until a new contractor is appointed. For more effective scrutiny, all 24 sites are proposed to be handed over to a single agency under deputy chief engineer (traffic), responsible for managing the tender process."