The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s self-imposed restriction on new projects does not include underground parking lots coming up in the island city. The BMC budget has sanctioned Rs 173 crore for start of work on five of the seven proposed underground lots from Regal Cinema in Colaba to Crawford Market.
A financial crisis has led to a Rs 925-crore slash in the allotment for capital expenditure and a declaration that the BMC would focus on ongoing projects alone. Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya, however, said Thursday, “Underground parking is much needed for the city but considering the availability of funds and the present financial position of the BMC, we will start work on five from Regal Cinema to Hutatma Chowk. Work at Crawford Market will be considered next year according to the financial situation.”
One lot each at Regal Cinema, Eros Theatre and Jehangir Art Gallery and two at Hutatma Chowk are to come up at a total cost of Rs 290.70 crore. The two on hold are at Crawford Market, their cost Rs.154.42 crore. The total space will accommodate 1,400 vehicles.
The BMC had proposed the project over a year ago. A joint venture between Venue Infrastructure and German WOHR Parking Systems has got a Rs 444-crore contract to build, operate and maintain the lots for 30 years. Parking fees will go to the company.
The Indian division of WOHR is headed by Girish Vyas, son-in-law of Manohar Joshi, Shiv Sena leader.
ROADBLOCK
* Rs 200 crore less for roads than last year. Most of the allocation will be spent on incomplete work, road dept says
* Fewer roads for concreting, repair, widening. Construction of high-quality asphalt roads will also suffer
* “We listed around 40 major roads to be repaired or concreted urgently at Rs 600 crore. However, we might not be able to start most of this work”
— A V Ralkar, Chief engineer (roads)
Source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/underground-lots-escape-bmc-curb-on-new-projects/575770/