Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Nov 23: Widespread frustration is mounting among residents as illegal and unchecked parking steadily engulfs major roads, internal lanes, and even newly widened stretches across the satellite city. Locals say the situation is defeating the very purpose of road expansion and is pushing traffic congestion to intolerable levels in a city originally envisioned as a modern, decongested alternative to Mumbai.

Once branded the “city of the 21st century,” Navi Mumbai was planned decades ago to ease pressure on the island city. Today, residents argue that the core objective of its development is slipping away.

Activist B. N. Kumar, convenor of Human Chain Online, criticised the civic approach, asking: “Are we widening roads for smoother traffic or simply creating more space for parking? When crores of rupees in taxpayers’ money are being spent, there must be clarity.” Calling the situation “a matter of shame for a city touted as a 21st-century model,” he pointed out that Navi Mumbai still lacks a basic parking policy despite the rapid rise in the number of vehicles.

Kumar noted that more than half of the Vashi–Ghansoli main road remains clogged with haphazardly parked vehicles, inconveniencing both motorists and pedestrians. Despite repeated complaints to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and the traffic department, the problem persists. NMMC officials said indoor parking facilities are being developed to address the issue.

Residents highlighted several perpetual chokepoints. The stretch between the Vashi Fire Brigade signal and Blue Diamond junction remains permanently blocked, while smaller roads across the city are heavily encroached upon by illegal parking, leaving barely any space for movement. “Peak hours or not — the traffic mess looks the same all day,” Kumar remarked.

The chaos is even more visible at the D-Mart circle in Kopar Khairane, where two-wheelers, cars, and auto-rickshaws crowd narrow turns near a fast-food outlet right in front of a traffic police outpost, a local resident said.

Citizens attribute the crisis to structural and planning failures rather than mere indiscipline. Real-estate consultant Naresh Shah stated that finding parking in Sector 17, Vashi, is “almost impossible.” Vijay N. from Seawoods–Nerul echoed this, citing constant digging, diversions, and a complete absence of parking planning. Activist Madhu Shankar said Temple Lane in Sector 29 remains perpetually gridlocked, with pavements encroached upon and the odd–even parking rule rarely enforced. She added that even bus shelters are blocked by illegally parked vehicles, preventing commuters from accessing public transport.

Kumar, who also heads the NatConnect Foundation, warned that the persistent traffic snarls are now a major pollution threat. “With trucks spewing unchecked exhaust, and vehicles idling in long queues, carbon monoxide levels are steadily rising,” he said.

Residents further criticised Cidco for failing to mandate proper parking provisions in commercial and residential developments. Expanded Mathadi worker colonies, now built up to ground-plus-two structures, accommodate multiple vehicles per household, spilling over into narrow lanes.

Activists added that Navi Mumbai might be the only “planned city” where two-wheelers freely ride on pavements, endangering pedestrians. Citizen groups have urged civic and traffic authorities to take decisive action, insisting that illegal parking can no longer be dismissed or normalised.