Matunga locals divided over BMC's multi-level parking plan

MUMBAI: Residents of Matunga are divided over the BMC's proposal to build a ₹126-crore multi-level robotic parking tower outside Matunga Central railway station.

- Linah Baliga

While many have opposed the project, arguing that the existing parking options accruing to the BMC in lieu of private redevelopment are sufficient, a few others support it.

Chetan Trivedi, a member of the NGO 'Petition Group', who are opposing this project, said the proposal was mooted by a former corporator, Nehal Shah, in 2020. Shah had proposed two towers opposite Matunga station, one adjacent to L N Napoo Road comprising 22 floors and another 14-floor one behind the road near the station.

"The place they have shown in the plan is a road in the Development Plan (DP)," said Trivedi. "Many upcoming projects have been planned within 100 metres of this, which have to surrender parking space for 600 vehicles to the BMC. This is a ₹126-crore tender. There is also a mall coming up opposite Matunga station which has 52 parking slots. The railways, which had refused to approve the plan in 2020, gave it an NOC on November 4 when the model code of conduct was in being."