Mumbai’s civic administration has initiated the first step towards assessing whether an underground parking facility can be developed beneath a major public ground in Kandivli East, reflecting the city’s continuing search for solutions to worsening neighbourhood parking shortages without acquiring additional urban land. The proposal is expected to undergo detailed technical evaluation before any construction decision is taken, underscoring a growing shift towards evidence-based planning for transport infrastructure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to commission an independent consultant to examine the feasibility of creating an underground parking facility below Rajiv Gandhi Maidan in Thakur Complex. The assessment will include traffic volume analysis, mobility simulations, engineering studies and site suitability to determine whether the project can improve local traffic conditions without compromising the usability or structural safety of the public open space.
The proposal emerged following a recommendation submitted through the local civic representation, after residents raised concerns over increasing vehicle ownership and inadequate organised parking within the densely developed neighbourhood. Like several residential pockets across Mumbai’s suburbs, Thakur Complex has experienced sustained pressure on road space, with parked vehicles frequently reducing carriageway width and affecting emergency access, pedestrian movement and overall traffic efficiency. The Underground Parking Facility study is expected to establish whether the project can deliver measurable transport benefits while preserving the recreational function of the ground above. Urban mobility experts increasingly argue that parking infrastructure should not simply accommodate more private vehicles but should also be integrated with wider traffic management, pedestrian accessibility and public transport strategies. Such assessments are becoming essential as cities attempt to balance mobility demands with the protection of scarce public spaces.
Infrastructure specialists note that underground developments beneath existing open grounds require comprehensive geological investigations, drainage assessments and structural modelling, particularly in Mumbai where monsoon conditions and groundwater management significantly influence construction risks. Traffic simulation exercises will also help determine whether improved parking capacity could reduce roadside parking or merely attract additional vehicle trips into already congested localities. The proposal comes amid broader civic efforts to modernise urban parking infrastructure through structured facilities rather than continued dependence on informal kerbside parking. However, urban planners caution that every Underground Parking Facility should be evaluated alongside investments in public transport, walking infrastructure and last-mile connectivity to ensure long-term sustainability rather than reinforcing private vehicle dependence.
If the technical studies demonstrate engineering, financial and environmental viability, the project could move to the detailed planning stage. Equally, the evaluation process may identify design modifications or alternative mobility interventions if underground construction is found unsuitable. The outcome will likely influence how similar neighbourhood-level parking proposals are assessed across Mumbai, where efficient land use and climate-resilient infrastructure are becoming increasingly central to urban planning decisions.
