Breach Candy Residents Oppose Underground Parking Project
In a development that has sparked considerable debate, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has temporarily halted construction of an underground parking facility at Amarsons in Breach Candy. The decision follows strong objections raised by local residents, who are concerned about the potential for heightened traffic congestion in the area, particularly on the already congested Bhulabhai Desai Road.
The underground parking project is part of a larger initiative by the BMC to alleviate parking issues along the Mumbai Coastal Road. Once completed, the Amarsons site would offer parking for 245 vehicles across two levels. However, local residents, led by the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF), have voiced serious concerns about its impact on local traffic patterns. The forum submitted a detailed report to the chief engineer overseeing the Coastal Road project, outlining several key objections. Nigum Lakhani, a member of BCRF, stated that the proposed parking lot would worsen the already congested traffic in the area. He pointed out that Bhulabhai Desai Road already sees significant traffic jams, especially near Mukesh Chowk when vehicles travel from Bhulabhai Desai Road towards Nepean Sea Road. The addition of vehicles exiting from the new parking lot would only add to the problem. Residents have requested that the BMC consider modifying the parking facility’s exit to Nepean Sea Road, in a bid to alleviate the anticipated congestion.
In addition to traffic concerns, the BCRF also raised issues related to potential sea water seepage due to excavation work at the site. The BMC has reportedly installed dewatering pumps to address this issue, which are operating around the clock. Furthermore, the residents have sought a halt to plans for introducing religious tourism at the site, and they have advocated against creating water-intensive lawns or implementing noisy activities in the area. While construction continues at other locations along the Coastal Road, including the NSCI Worli site, the BMC has agreed to temporarily suspend work at the Amarsons site to review the concerns raised by residents. The civic body is expected to engage in further discussions with the BCRF before proceeding with the project. The controversy surrounding the Breach Candy parking facility highlights the delicate balance between infrastructure development and the concerns of local communities.
