Navi Mumbai: The ongoing construction of a housing project under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) at Vashi Sector 19, previously the site of a dedicated truck terminal for the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), has led to a severe parking crisis. This has resulted in double parking, traffic congestion, and increased challenges for truck drivers delivering agricultural products to Asia's largest market.

The APMC market premises, which include five markets catering to the vast agricultural needs of Mumbai, see a daily influx of 15,000 to 20,000 trucks transporting goods. To manage the volume, CIDCO had set up a large truck terminal in Sector 19 to facilitate proper vehicle parking and prevent traffic congestion. However, with construction of a housing complex now underway in this space, parking solutions for market-bound trucks have become a significant issue.

 As a result, vehicles are forced to double park in and around the market premises, leading to frequent traffic jams. The lack of organized parking within the market area has compounded the problem, with security guards charging between Rs. 100- Rs. 200 for parking within the premises. Outside the market, unregulated parking areas controlled by local racketeers charge between Rs. 200-Rs.300, further increasing the burden on truck drivers. Moreover, these unauthorized areas are often sites of theft, as the vehicles are left unattended, and valuable goods are stolen.

Manohar Totlani, a merchant at the APMC, expressed concerns about the worsening situation, stating, "The daily traffic of 15,000 to 20,000 trucks requires a well-organized parking facility. However, the construction of the housing project in place of the truck terminal has only worsened the situation. We’re facing financial exploitation of truck drivers, and the safety of their goods is being compromised."

Despite the growing concerns, political leaders rarely address these issues, visiting the APMC only during election periods. "Once the elections are over, they forget about us. There is no real effort to solve this ongoing problem," Totlani added.