July 24, 2025: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to investigate a complaint regarding the construction of underground parking facilities along the Mumbai Coastal Road.
The complaint was submitted by the Watchdog Foundation, which has raised objections to proposed parking areas at Worli, Haji Ali, and Breach Candy — all falling within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Concerns have been raised over whether these developments comply with environmental regulations.
According to the complaint, parking facilities are currently being developed at multiple locations: on Bhulabhai Desai Road (south side of Tata Garden) with a capacity of 250 vehicles, near the Lotus Jetty at Haji Ali for 1,200 vehicles, and two sites at Worli Dairy and Worli Seaface (opposite Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk), each accommodating 200 vehicles.
Godfrey Pimenta, founder of the Watchdog Foundation, has alleged that these parking projects violate a specific condition set out in the environmental clearance granted by the MoEF&CC. In his letter dated July 20, Pimenta pointed out that the clearance explicitly prohibits residential or commercial use of the 90 hectares of reclaimed land. He contends that building parking lots on open public spaces constitutes commercial activity and therefore breaches this condition.
In response, the MoEF&CC’s Section Officer, Tuntun Kumar Singh, issued a directive to the MCZMA on Wednesday, instructing a detailed examination of the allegations. The authority has been asked to assess the nature and extent of the grievance and submit its findings to both the Ministry and the complainant. The Ministry further stated that if the complaint is found to be valid, appropriate legal action must be initiated.
Source: The Free Press Journal
