Mumbai, which is facing the problem of traffic jam and parking, is expected to get relief in the coming time. Buses, tourist vehicles coming from interstate and other parts of the state will be stopped at Dahisar and Mankhurd check posts. BMC will make inter-state bus terminal and commercial hub for parking these vehicles there. BMC will spend Rs 240 crore on this project. Tender for this is expected to be issued soon. A BMC official said that in the year 2017-18, GST was implemented by abolishing the octroi service. There is 24,628 square meters area at Dahisar check naka and 29,774 square meters area at Mankhurd check naka. This place is lying vacant since 2017.
The official said that due to the construction of an inter-state bus terminal at Dahisar check point, vehicles coming from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Daman Diu will be stopped and parked. Vehicles coming from Goa, Pune and other districts of the state will be stopped and parked after the construction of a bus terminal at Mankhurd check point. Connectivity like taxi, cab, bus and metro will be available to the people coming here. People will easily be able to go to any part of Mumbai.
The official said that two consultants were appointed for this project, they have prepared its complete outline. It will soon be sent for approval. This is a pilot project and plans are afoot to build similar bus terminals and commercial hubs at Mulund, Airoli and Vashi. This is a plan for the next 50 years to deal with the growing problem of vehicles in Mumbai. There will be bus terminals at both the check points, where all interstate buses will stop. Along with this, the facility of food plaza, commercial office and shopping center will also be available here. These transport hubs will also have connectivity with Metro and BEST buses, so that long distance commuters can easily travel to their destinations in Mumbai.
The BMC official pointed out that more than 3,500 km of long-distance buses enter Mumbai through check points, which puts pressure on vehicular traffic. This leads to traffic jams, parking problems and environmental pollution in Mumbai. With the formation of transport hubs at check points, outside vehicles will be prevented from entering Mumbai. There are about 42 lakh vehicles in Mumbai itself. Also, trains ply from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Dombivli-Kalyan and Bhiwandi in Mumbai. Due to this the problem of parking of vehicles in Mumbai becomes serious.
The BMC has come under a lot of criticism because of the potholes on the roads during the monsoon. This is said to be one of the reasons why the BMC wants to stop buses and other tourist vehicles coming from other states at the entrance of the city itself. With this, BMC is trying to overcome two problems simultaneously. The first is the problem of potholes on the road and the second problem is pollution in the city. Due to these vehicles Mumbaikars have to face the problem of traffic jam and pollution.
Gutkha and other materials also come illegally in Mumbai from such vehicles. RTO receives such complaints continuously. Due to the presence of this material in heavy vehicles, the problem of checking also arises. Vehicles coming from other states will also be stopped from entering the city by stopping them at the entrance of Mumbai.
