While ministers are supposed to solve people’s problems, a minister in the state cabinet has himself demanded a solution from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the illegal parking problem in the city.

Minister of state for housing Ravindra Waikar has asked Mr Fadnavis for a policy decision to tackle the problem of traffic jams owing to vehicles being illegally parked. Mr Waikar has dashed off a letter to the CM saying that illegal parking on both sides of a road is on the rise, leading to an increasing number of traffic jams in both the city and suburbs.

“Illegal parking on major roads is causing traffic snarls in the city. Due to this, the number of accidents and casualties is on the rise. The situation is getting serious. However, despite informing the local traffic department, no proper action has been taken,” he said. A policy decision is required to curb illegal parking, Mr Waikar added. Additionally, the CM must issue directives to all traffic department officials to ensure that traffic rules are followed strictly, he said.

Civic activists, however, are scoffing at the minister’s suggestion. “The problem of illegal parking is very serious and it is getting worse. But the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is ruled by Mr Waikar’s own party, Shiv Sena, has failed to solve it. The parking policy has still not been implemented. Talks of underground, multi-storey parking have remained only on paper so far,” said Nikhil Desai from Matunga. Mr Desai commented that ministers were supposed to take initiatives to solve people’s problems. However, in this case, a minister himself was asking the CM to issue directives to end illegal parking woes in the city.