Unclog Mumbai: With school buses parked on road, you cannot cruise in Santacruz

The illegally parked buses lead to traffic pile-up

For people travelling along SV Road in Santacruz, one bus is too many. The area is one of the busiest during peak hours owing to its proximity to the railway station.

With buses occupying SV Road, other vehicles are forced to double park. (Pramod Thakur/HT Photo)

Buses of a private school parked along SV Road are a regular sight. They are parked irregularly, obstructing traffic.

“Some of the buses are parked at National College bus stop in old Khar and leave together, resembling a convoy. Bus drivers do not follow traffic rules and end up blocking the entire lane for several metres,” said Surendra Khubchandani, a Santacruz resident. In several meeting with traffic officials, residents complained about the bus menace, but have received little cooperation from the department.

Inspector Jeevan Kharat, Santacruz traffic division, refused to comment on the issue.

“If educational institute is allowed to behave in such a manner, what about the larger population?” asked Khubchandani

Apart from residents, newly elected corporator Hetal Gala is also no stranger to the problem.

“They used to park their buses on Saraswati Marg, but have also started doing so on SV Road. Buses are parked for as long as 30 minutes. We have asked the traffic department to deploy policemen to rein in bus drivers. But officials are yet to take action against them,” said Gala.

“The school is coming up with a parking area in its basement. It may help in solving the year-long problem,” said Gala. In November, Gala volunteered and cleared traffic for half an hour. “I have been a corporator only for eight months and suffered because of the parking menace, just like other residents,” said Gala.