60 cops work two shifts to keep Crawford junction clear

Crawford Market’s roads have been playing parking lot for years, with double-parked cars, abandoned vehicles and roadside handcarts squeezing out both traffic and pedestrians. Now, Mumbai Traffic Police are reclaiming the space, deploying 60 personnel across L T Marg, Mohammed Ali Road and Carnac Road as part of a wider crackdown that has seen 11 lakh unauthorised parking violations recorded across the city in nine months.

The drive has targeted vehicles parked along roads and footpaths, including abandoned cars, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has helped remove handcarts and hawkers’ goods. Potholes along the affected stretches have also been filled to improve traffic movement.

Personnel from the Kalbadevi, Pydhonie and Azad Maidan traffic divisions are deployed in two shifts at Mahapalika Junction, Metro Junction and Mohammed Ali Road. Two to three towing vans have been stationed in the area to act against vehicles and taxis parked illegally, an official said.

I have had my shop here for several years, and traffic congestion has long been a problem. However, over the past two to three days, I have noticed more traffic police personnel in the area, and traffic has been moving smoothly,” said local shop owner Mohammed Zaid Parwani.