In a growing opposition to the proposed Multi-Level Robotic Parking Tower (MRPT) outside Matunga Central Railway Station, a group of concerned citizens is preparing to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. The activists have raised serious objections to the project, citing potential risks and disadvantages for local residents, commuters, and public safety.
The MRPT, a 23-storey parking facility with the capacity to accommodate 546 vehicles, is part of an Rs 85 crore project undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the NOC recently granted by the Railways. The project aims to address the parking woes of a nearby commercial complex, which requires additional parking space for its patrons. However, citizen groups, led by the Petition Group Foundation, have voiced their concerns about the wider consequences of the project.
A key issue raised by the group is the proposed demolition of the Matunga Police Beat Chowky, located outside the station. The activists argue that the removal of the police chowky would leave the area vulnerable to crime, especially considering that Matunga East is a busy educational hub, home to institutions like Podar College, Welingkar Institute, and VJTI. GR Vora, trustee of the Petition Group, emphasized that the chowky plays a vital role in maintaining law and order in the area, especially with students frequenting the area throughout the day. Additionally, the petitioners have expressed concern about the lack of space for commuters in the event of a disaster, given the proposed construction site’s crowded nature. Vora stated, “In case of any disaster at or outside the railway station, there will be hardly any space for the commuters to run for their lives.” The group has urged the Railways to revoke the permission granted to the BMC, citing the larger public interest. Should their objections not be addressed, they are prepared to move forward with the PIL.
The activists also raised concerns over the environmental impact of the project, including the removal of 6-8 mature trees and the potential uglification of the heritage area surrounding the station. Critics argue that the project, rather than easing traffic congestion, would exacerbate local problems and affect the aesthetic appeal of the area. In response to the objections, Swanil Nila, the Chief Spokesperson for Central Railway, clarified that the NOC was granted in 2024 after the BMC fulfilled all the necessary criteria outlined by the Railways in 2023. A joint inspection of the site by the Railways and BMC is scheduled for November 27, 2024, before the commencement of construction work. As tensions rise, the citizens are awaiting a clear response from the authorities, with hopes that the legal challenge will draw attention to their concerns and prompt a reevaluation of the project.
