The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has officially withdrawn its proposal to construct an elevated multilevel electro car parking facility outside Matunga railway station. The decision, announced on 5 May 2025, followed sustained public opposition and a comprehensive review of logistical and traffic concerns.
A key meeting to discuss the project was held on 9 January 2025, chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), Ashwini Joshi. Senior officials from various departments, including Zone II, Infrastructure, the Development Plan’s chief engineer, traffic representatives, and F North ward officials, attended. The minutes of this meeting were later released under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2025.
Although the project was well underway—with tenders floated and a contractor appointed by the traffic department, and a No Objection Certificate obtained from railway authorities—the proposal faced significant challenges. The land earmarked for the parking facility, situated on Lakhamshi Napoo Road, was not originally designated for public parking under the 1991 Strategic Regional Development Plan. Though informally used for parking and a police chowky, the Development Plan 2034 now formally allocates it for parking and police use.
A major concern was the likely traffic disruption at Matunga Central station’s entry and exit points. Given that Lakhamshi Napoo Road serves as a vital access route, officials feared that construction and operation of the parking structure would cause congestion, particularly during peak hours.
Public opposition proved decisive. The Petition Group Foundation, led by G R Vora, formally objected to the project in November 2024. Following a site inspection and careful consideration of technical and civic concerns, the committee unanimously decided to scrap the project.
This move signals the BMC’s intent to prioritise community feedback and urban functionality over automated infrastructure in sensitive, high-traffic zones such as railway precincts.
Source: Hindustan Times
