Responding to a wave of passenger complaints, the Western Railway’s Mumbai Central Division has scrapped the Access Control Parking System at Bandra Terminus. The decision, aimed at enhancing convenience and restoring transparency, took effect on April 6, 2025, and was replaced by a simplified, parking-only system from April 7.
"Introduced on a pilot basis on February 26, 2023, the Access Control Parking System was designed to ease traffic congestion and regulate the chaotic behavior of autorickshaw and taxi drivers. Under the system, all vehicles entering the premises received time-stamped slips, allowing a free five-minute window for pick-up and drop-off, after which parking fees were imposed based on vehicle type," said an official.
However, the system quickly drew criticism from regular passengers and commuter associations, who alleged that the contractor managing the system was violating guidelines by arbitrarily levying charges—even on vehicles that exited within the free time limit.
“Numerous complaints were received, not only from specific passenger associations but also from individual commuters and various other social organizations,” a senior Western Railway official confirmed. “After a detailed review, we concluded that the system was not operating as intended and was being misused.”
"The decision to dismantle the access control mechanism was made after a careful evaluation of the system’s impact. The new arrangement will charge only those who wish to park their vehicles on the premises, eliminating confusion over entry-exit time windows and preventing fee misuse," the official further added.
Asked about the old system, the official stated, “In the earlier setup, dedicated lanes were also available for local residents heading towards Khar station, allowing them to bypass the terminus altogether. Designated pick-up and drop-off points had been introduced to streamline movement, but continued complaints about misuse of contract guidelines led to the system’s removal.”
