The local activists from Matunga have written to the BMC demanding a public session to explain the feasibility of the controversial parking tower, planned outside the Matunga station, to the residents. The activists vowed to file a public interest litigation if the civic body doesn’t heed their demand.
In its November 28 edition, The Free Press Journal had reported how the Matunga residents are vehemently opposing the construction of the Multi-Level Robotic Parking Tower (MRPT). Dubbing it as a safety hazard, they alleged that the project is being undertaken to help a builder constructing a commercial complex. The Petitions Group had even requested the BMC and the Central Railway, who recently gave nod for the plan, to conduct another joint site inspection.
In their email to civic chief Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velasaru, chief engineer (development plan) and other senior officers, activist Chetan Trivedi and trustee of Petitions Group G R Vora complained that on November 27 when the first joint inspection was held, the BMC officials were not present. A representative from the civic body’s traffic department had arrived later, the duo said, alleging that the official neither carried documents nor could answer queries of the locals.
“I invite you to visit the spot with all your study reports and educate us on how the project is feasible and beneficial for residents,” read Trivedi’s email. In a similar vein, Vora said that BMC, traffic police, railways and the elected representatives are answerable to the public.
“The plan appears to have been initiated without application of mind and to aid a local builder constructing a mall right opposite to the planned MRPT,” Vora told the BMC.
Earlier, the BMC’s traffic department defended the Rs 504 crore project, which envisages three other MRPTs, saying it will ease the parking crisis.
