'Pay and Park' spot appears next to 'No Parking' Sign at Kala Ghoda festival venue

A Draft Colaba Correspondent

On 1 February 2020, the Kala Ghoda Festival started at the historic venue at K Dubash Mark in SoBo and the number of visitors went on to surge over the days to follow. At the Jehangir Art Gallery spot - a dedicated No Parking zone also owing to the junction of the K Dubash Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Road suddenly appeared a Pay and Park signage.


As the festival revellers surged to the spot and found the parking a mess, they would leave their two-wheelers with their handles 'unlocked' as directed by the Pay and Park workers and proceed to the Festival venue only to find their vehicles towed away by the Traffic Police when they arrived. A flurry of complains brought to the notice of The Draft Colaba led to a spot investigation by this correspondent.

Now, whether the spot remains the erstwhile 'No Parking' spot as evidenced by the presence of the board or if the zone has now been instead earmarked a 'Pay and Park' zone remained a mystery yet one that suited the convenience of the Pay and Park authorities who made visitors pay up their Parking fees, upfront, only to remain in doubt about the security of their vehicles. After all, the slips clearly maintain that the vehicles remain parked at the 'owner's risk'.

The Draft Colaba through its #SpeakUpMumbai campaign brought the anomaly to the notice of the Mumbai police through its social media platforms and requested for clarity on the issue that was creating a mess at grassroots.

The Mumbai Police has, on its behalf, replied and assured of action. We will keep the readers updated on the same.