Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has joined the growing clamour against the plan to build a 22-storey robotic parking tower outside the Matunga station. Extending support to the locals, who have dubbed the project a safety hazard, MNS wrote to the BMC, urging it to immediately cancel the proposal.
The Free Press Journal has consistently reported about the citizens’ protest against the parking tower, alleging that the project has been undertaken to benefit a developer. On December 21, this newspaper reported that the BMC was “rethinking” and “evaluating” the project after strong objections.
Penned by MNS’ general secretary Snehal Jadhav, the letter read, “The Matunga station has only one exit and sees a footfall of around 30,000 passengers daily. The area has five-10 schools and colleges and fruit and vegetable markets, attracting crowds.” If a parking tower is built in such a congested area and in case any disaster occurs, how will the railway passengers escape, asked Jadhav. “Neither the BMC nor the Fire Brigade has given a thought over this,” the letter added.
It further read, “There are existing four-five parking plots in Matunga. Hence, we oppose the BMC’s project of another parking tower and urge it to immediately cancel the project.”
Spread on a 1,518 sq m plot outside the Matunga station, the mechanised multi-level parking tower project has been proposed by former BJP corporator Nehal Shah. The plan recently received a no objection certificate from the Central Railways.
