Parking tower plan to help bldr, allege Matunga residents

CONTROVERSIAL PLAN | Protesters gathered in large numbers when BMC, CR officials arrived for inspection on Wednesday; say facility will bring traffic woes

- Devashri Bhujbal

Amid growing public clamour, the BMC and Central Railway officials on Wednesday conducted a joint inspection of the site - right outside the Matunga station - where a 22-storey Multi-Level Robotic Parking Tower (MRPT) will come up.

The citizens and activists alleged that the project worth Rs119 crore is aimed at helping a builder, who is planning to construct a commercial complex, according to them. During the inspection, the activists gathered in large numbers demanding scrapping of the project, arguing that it will lead to traffic congestion and will obstruct rescue and relief work if there is a hazard. The locals said the approach road - Lakamsi Napoo Road - is very narrow and if a large number of cars use the MRPT (having a proposed strength of 480 vehicles) it will create massive jams.