Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to engage contractors for executing its proposed parking facilities project to cater to the needs of the users of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail.

As part of the plan, the authority wants to set up small parking lots for two-wheelers and four-wheelers at most stations to encourage motorists to take the metro.

The challenge for the authority is to create parking spaces at seven of the 12 stations on the 11.4-km corridor which is constructed along a highly congested alignment consisting of narrow roads.

The authority plans to execute most of the plan through an open bid and will invite tenders soon. The authority has roped in an Italian consultant to prepare a simulation and has discussed the nuances of the traffic dispersal plan.

It is working with agencies such as BMC, BEST, the traffic police and the RTO to implement it. The plan involves clearing encroachment, sprucing up footpaths, creating space at junctions, shifting bus stops, enforcing parking bans and so on.

While the authority estimates only about 2 per cent of the metro users to travel to stations using their two-wheelers or four-wheelers, it expects that number to grow.