Breach Candy residents demand the BMC to fill up the the trench dug up for underground parking at along the Coastal Road | Photo Credits: N Lakhani, Resident
Mumbai: After the BMC stalled the plan to construct a two storeyed underground parking at Breach Candy along the Coastal Road, the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF) is set to submit their proposal for overground parking lots in the area. The proposal consists of five open parking lots with a total capacity of around 250 vehicles.
The five overground parking spaces suggested by BCRF are at Nepeansae Road from Setalwad Lane with capacity of 30 to 40 cars, behind Indian Oil Pump at Bhulabhai Desai Road with capacity of around 30 cars, Behind Tata Garden with capacity of around 50 cars and two spots on L&T site office plot with capacity around total 80 cars.
The proposal is been made as the BMC had asked the BCRF to suggest alternative parking space after the original plan of underground parking was shelved, following intense objections from the residents. The underground parking was slated to come up behind Tata garden at Amarsons junction, accomodating 246 vehicles.
As the BMC started the work, the residents voiced concerns over the traffic congestion that would come with the construction of the two-storey underground parking lot in the area. The parking at Amarsons junction was one of the four parking facilities planned along the arterial Coastal Road project.
Collectively, the four parking lots would accommodate more than 1,850 vehicles. BMC says the proposal for all parking lots had received all prerequisite approvals in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) plan.
However, the first such facility itself recieved strong objections from the residents. “The underground parking lot has been cancelled and BMC wants residents to propose alternative. Accordingly, this proposal of overground and open parking is to be submitted to BMC for appraisal by the BCRF,” said N Lakhani, the Breach Candy residents who played important role in preparing the proposal.
Lakhani said that he has submitted a copy to local MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha who has been taking updates on construction of the parking facilities along the Coastal Road and objections raised by the residents.
Once the proposal is officially submitted to the BMC, the authority will study the proposed alternative parking lots and take decision accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Breach Candy residents have been demanding to fill up the huge trench dug up by the BMC for the construction of underground parking lot at Amarsons junction. As the plan is shelved, the residents demand to fill up the trench before monsoon as it has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
