Mumbai: Traffic cops to chase your car off highway

A traffic cop fines a luxury bus for parking on WEH near Terminal-2 of Mumbai airport. Pic/Anurag Ahire

The traffic department has started a special drive against private vehicles and buses parked on the Western Express Highway near the airport, which lead to traffic congestion. The traffic cops said that many motorists have been parking their cars on the highway to avoid heavy parking charges at the Terminal 2 parking lot while private buses wait here to pick up passengers. Cops told mid-day that they have been taking action against around 75 cars and 15 luxury buses daily.

The Vakola traffic division has also put banners near the road that connects Mumbai airport terminal-2 to Western Express Highway. The notice reads: "Private buses and vehicles are not allowed to be parked here. Private buses and passengers waiting for the buses lead to traffic congestion at this spot."

Luxury buses parked on the Western Express Highway, near the international airport

Senior Inspector Sunil Yadav of Vakola traffic division said, "We started the drive three days ago. On the first day of the drive, we took action against 75 cars and 15 luxury buses parked at the spot. This is a no-parking zone. But the buses and cars that are parked here add to traffic congestion on this busy road, especially during peak hours. So far, we have taken action against around 300 vehicles." The traffic cops are levying a fine of Rs 500 on any vehicle found parked at this spot.

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‘Airport parking lot costly'

However, despite the drive, there has not been much of a change on the ground as plenty of cars and buses were seen parked on the road. mid-day visited the spot on Wednesday and talked to some of the drivers. Siddhakumar Prajapati, who had parked his vehicle on WEH, said, "I have been parking my vehicle here when I come to pick someone up from the airport for years now. I generally arrive half an hour before the flight is scheduled for landing and wait here. I go and pick up when the person is done with the formalities at the airport."

Buses and cars parked on the Western Express Highway, just ahead of the traffic department's notice on the spot being a no-parking zone, on Wednesday

When asked about the airport parking lot, he told mid-day, "The parking lot at the airport is too expensive and not affordable. My boss can take a cab back home with the same money charged for parking there." Another vehicle owner Ankur Shah said, "I came to pick up my relatives, who have heavy luggage with them, from the airport. I know there is a parking facility at the airport premises but it is too expensive. Why should I pay Rs 300-Rs 500 to park my car for an hour? The airport authorities should think about the people and lower the parking charges."

Ankur Shah, owner of a vehicle. Pics/Shadab Khan

Bachav Yadav, who had parked a Mercedes car on the highway, said, "I have been working as a driver since 1992 and though I am driving an expensive car, I cannot pay the high parking charges at the airport. I am here to pick up my boss and have parked the car on the side of the road so that there is no traffic disruption." Officials from Adani, which manages the airport, were unavailable for comment.

Parking charges at airport
Type of vehicle Duration Charges
Four-wheeler up to 30 minutes Rs 160
Premium cars up to 30 minutes Rs 250
Four-wheeler 31-120 minutes Rs 250
Premium cars 31-120 minutes Rs 340
Four-wheeler 121-180 minutes Rs 300
Premium cars 121-180 minutes Rs 400
Four-wheeler 181-240 minutes Rs 380
Premium cars 181-240 minutes Rs 480
' For each additional hour after 120 minutes, general vehicles are charged an additional Rs 150 while premium vehicles Rs 170

Rs 160
Charges to park a car for 30 mins at airport