Cotton Green parking site planned for 1,200 vehicles during Ganeshotsav

A vacant Bombay Port Trust plot at Cotton Green is being prepared to park about 1,200 vehicles during Ganeshotsav, offering motorists headed to the crowded Lalbaug-Parel belt an alternative to stopping on surrounding roads.

Mumbai Traffic Police said the temporary facility will operate through the 10-day festival. The ground is being levelled and lighting is being arranged, with signboards planned on major roads to direct drivers there.

The police have also approached Google to list 43 authorised pay-and-park facilities on Google Maps. Thirty-seven of these are in busy areas including Parel, Lower Parel, Worli, Dadar, Sewri, Byculla, Bandra, BKC, Ghatkopar, Andheri, Goregaon and Borivali.

Parking operators have been asked to put up digital boards showing their total capacity and vacant spaces. About 3,500 traffic personnel will be assisted by around 6,000 volunteers, while 55 watchtowers will be used to monitor traffic movement during the festival and immersion processions.