Newlinkroad's Blog

Afternoon Dispatch and Courier

Saturday, June 18, 2011
By Adnan Attarwala

New Link Residents Forum miffed over illegal parking of tourist buses on open land off IC Colony at Borivli West

The illegal parking of tourist buses in a three acre open plot of land, close to the Ganpat Patil Nagar slums at the IC colony between Borivli and Dahisar, has not gone down well with nearby residents, who say it is causing serious ecological disturbances and also giving rise to illegal commercial establishments like garages and tea stalls in the vicinity.

Members of the New Link Residents Forum, who have been fighting against the illegal encroachment on the slum land, which was a large patch of mangroves earlier, have been facing a new problem as every day about more than 80 buses are being parked in the reclaimed land, which they say is done without the authority’s permission.

“The land is being used for parking since the past two years, but of late the activity has increased as we are seeing innumerable buses come and leave, causing air and noise pollution.

The birds have almost disappeared from the area due to the pollution,” claimed Harish Pandey, a resident as well as a member of the forum. Residents also claim that since the plot of land is close to the sea, any unlawful element could enter from it and use the buses to gain access into the city.

About two months ago, the residents had approached the Mantralaya and highlighted the issue of illegal parking, which resulted in the authority giving them a letter, stating that no buses will be allowed to park in the area. But, when the activists approached the BMC they were told that they did not have the authority to prohibit the bus operators, since they parked on a private land.

The residents had even filed complaints with the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Authority (MCZA), but nothing positive ensued. “We also approached the RTO, but they said since it’s a CRZ-SEZ land they won’t be able to do anything. The whole matter is being ignored,” alleged another resident.

When asked about it, R. Thakur, Senior Inspector of Borivili Traffic department, said, “Since buses are parked in an open space, we are not entitled to take any action. If they are parked on the streets or cause traffic jams, only then we can do something.”

Deputy Municipal Commissioner B.R. Marathe said, “I am not aware of the issue, but if the residents meet me personally I’ll look into it and take necessary action.”

http://www.afternoondc.in/city-news/thats-not-a-bus-depot/article_27606