Matunga’s 23-Floor Parking Tower Project Cancelled
In a significant development, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to cancel the contentious 23-floor robotic parking tower project near Matunga (East) railway station. The proposal, which was intended to address parking issues in the area, has faced fierce opposition from local residents and activists, who raised concerns about its potential impact on public safety and traffic flow.
The ₹126 crore project, which was designed to offer automated parking spaces for vehicles, faced intense scrutiny over its possible repercussions on the already congested vicinity of the railway station. Local activists, led by figures such as Chetan Trivedi, along with the Petition Group, comprising Dr Gaurang Vora and Kamlakar Shenoy, voiced their strong opposition, arguing that the tower would obstruct access to the station, particularly in the event of an emergency, such as a rail accident. The risk of creating additional chaos in an already high-traffic area also raised alarms. In response to mounting public pressure and legal challenges, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi confirmed that a recommendation for the project’s cancellation has been made to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The formal cancellation order is expected to be issued shortly.
This marks a crucial victory for the citizens of Matunga, who had relentlessly campaigned against the project, citing various technical and legal flaws. Activists revealed that the project, which had been given provisional approval from the Fire Brigade, lacked a formal city survey number and had not undergone proper procedural scrutiny. Further investigations revealed that the feasibility study for the parking tower, requested by citizens through Right to Information (RTI), made no mention of the robotic parking structure. General Secretary of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Snehal Jadhav, who also strongly opposed the plan, expressed relief upon hearing the news of the cancellation.
She pointed out that the safety risks posed by the tower, especially to the thousands of students and commuters passing through the area, could not be ignored. The scrapping of the project is being hailed as a win for citizens’ safety and urban planning integrity, with local activists like Chetan Trivedi urging the authorities to ensure that future infrastructure projects are in harmony with public safety requirements and the needs of the community. This cancellation follows a series of high-profile reports and public outcry that highlighted the potential risks associated with the project, marking a significant moment in Mumbai’s ongoing dialogue on responsible urban development.
