There is no respite for the common man. Finding parking space in the parking lots of Vashi station complex is increasingly becoming a humongous task with trucks and autos monopolizing space meant for private individuals.

“It is a daily phenomenon. When we go there to park during the morning rush, we can’t find parking,” a Navi Mumbai resident who works in Vashi said.

Citizens are caught between the devil and the deep sea as parking on the road is an invitation to traffic police ticket.

Commercial vehicles such as trucks, tempos, auto rickshaws and even fleet taxis are seen parked in the parking lots opposite Kalyan Jwellers. As a consequence, common citizens are forced to seek parking in less secure and often unsafe roadside locations.
The problem has been aggravated by the apathy of CIDCO, which owns the parking lots and has let out the same to private vendors.

A sizeable space of the station complex parking lot is reserved for those working in the Vashi Railway Station Commercial Complex. This reserved parking is not open for the general public.

The parking lot mayhem is a slap in the face of NMMC authorities who have chalked out ambitious plan to win the cleanest city title. “The parking area is an unpleasant sight and at night, even occupied by homeless individuals,” a commuter said.
When contacted, CIDCO claimed ignorance. “If this space is being used for commercial purposes the department concerned will be informed and an inquiry will be conducted,” Priya Ratambe, Public Relations Officer, CIDCO, said. Efforts will be made to devise a plan so that common citizens can get parking spaces, she added.

Meantime, citizens have no choice but to go around looking for the parking space.