Once hailed as the “City of the 21st Century,” Navi Mumbai is currently reeling from its explosive expansion. Residents complain that parking problems, which are already severe, are getting worse as redevelopment changes the cityscape. Increased traffic and a lack of parking spots, particularly in central sectors, are the results of the growth of new high-rises, business complexes, and population density.
The convenor of the Alert Citizens Team (ACT) and a social activist who has lived in the area for a long time, she has expressed concerns to the local government about the inadequate parking on major highways, such as the 12-kilometer stretch between Vashi Railway Station and Airoli. Parking has become a key bottleneck in districts like Sector 29, where residential buildings and temples meet on tiny two-lane roadways. A local citizen who has pushed for improved traffic control brought attention to the fact that cars regularly obstruct walkways, forcing people onto the road.
The parking situation is thought to be getting worse as a result of the redevelopment projects in Sectors 9, 10, and 16 of Vashi. The homeowners are concerned that the narrow access roads would not be able to handle the increasing traffic when smaller buildings give way to 20-story complexes. Vehicle registrations are rising at an annual pace of 8%, according to a representative of the Navi Mumbai Regional Transport Office, further taxing the city’s infrastructure.
Residents of Navi Mumbai are demanding swift and deliberate action, ranging from stricter parking laws to sustainable urban development before things worsen.
Source: Urban Acres
