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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering converting an unused cycling track along Flank Road into a Pay and Park facility to address traffic congestion near Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion. With 2,700+ attendees per event, the hall generates parking demand for 300 cars, leading to illegal parking, safety hazards, and resident complaints. BMC's multi-level robotic parking projects in Mumbadevi, Matunga, and Bhulabhai Desai Road have faced technical and public resistance, causing cancellations. As Mumbai's parking crisis worsens, BMC must overcome logistical and financial hurdles to implement sustainable parking solutions for the city's growing urban needs.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is exploring alternative parking solutions to address ongoing congestion and logistical challenges in Mumbai. One such proposal involves converting an unused cycling track along Flank Road into a Pay and Park facility, following persistent complaints from Sion residents. The plan aims to ease traffic congestion outside the renowned Shanmukhananda Hall, which frequently hosts VIP events and has a seating capacity of approximately 2,700. Advertisement
Prithviraj Chavhan, Assistant Commissioner of F North ward, mentioned that the civic body was in the process of obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the hydraulic department, as the land belongs to them. Once clearance is granted by the traffic department, the area will be designated for parking. This initiative follows mounting concerns over illicit activities along the abandoned cycling track, including drug abuse, alcohol consumption, gambling, and extortion by local miscreants who reportedly demand INR 300 per car for unauthorised parking and vandalise vehicles.
Residents pointed out that Shanmukhananda Hall hosts events on at least 20 days per month, leading to approximately 300 cars being parked along the narrow Flank Road. This congestion poses a significant risk during emergencies, as ambulances and fire engines struggle to gain access. Additionally, they expressed frustration over frequent fines, often receiving INR 1,000 e-challans for 'No Parking' violations, even when parking within their own locality.
While this proposal remains under consideration, BMC has been facing difficulties in executing multi-level robotic parking solutions across Mumbai. Several large-scale projects, including a 17-storey facility in Mumbadevi and a 26-storey structure in Matunga, encountered significant opposition from citizens and government agencies, resulting in their cancellation. The Mumbadevi project, sanctioned at INR 122 crore, was halted earlier, while the Matunga project, estimated at INR 127 crore, was scrapped recently. The Mumbadevi plot had been designated for public parking under BMC's Development Plan 2034, but with construction stalled, its revival would lead to increased costs.
Additionally, a robotic parking facility at Bhulabhai Desai Road in south Mumbai ceased operations recently after BMC revoked the contractor's maintenance agreement. The 21-storey facility, operational since 2021 and capable of accommodating 240 vehicles, was shut down due to technical failures and structural leakages. These issues highlight the challenges associated with implementing technologically advanced parking solutions in Mumbai.
Mumbai's growing parking crisis continues to pose significant challenges for both authorities and residents. As BMC continues to seek alternative solutions to tackle the city's escalating parking issues, the proposed Pay and Park facility along Flank Road offers a potentially viable option. However, previous disputes over land use and the civic body's difficulties with large-scale parking projects indicate that finding a sustainable resolution remains a significant challenge. The future of Mumbai's parking infrastructure will depend on how effectively BMC manages these logistical and financial hurdles.
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