A new car parking project in Lower Parel, worth ₹520 crore, has sparked controversy with concerns of a potential ₹300 crore loss. Despite past failures in similar projects across Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a fresh tender for constructing a 548-space parking system at the Asphalt Plant in Lower Parel. RTI activist Anil Galgali has raised objections, citing collusion between contractors and officials, and has called for the cancellation of the tender.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Galgali highlighted the inflated cost of the project. He pointed out that the cost per parking space amounts to ₹95 lakh, which he claims will lead to a loss of ₹300 crore.
Galgali’s letter suggests that the same original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Sotefin Parking Private Limited, is likely to be involved, as in previous projects. Similar contracts were awarded for car parking systems in Matunga, Flora Fountain, and Worli, with prices significantly lower. For instance, the Worli project cost ₹33.90 lakh per car, while the Matunga project cost ₹21.87 lakh per parking space.
Anil Galgali criticised the BMC for failing to conduct a proper price evaluation for the Lower Parel project. He compared the costs to similar projects being executed by other government agencies like CPWD, NHIDCL, Railways, and the Delhi Municipal Corporation, which have reportedly been completed at far lower costs.
According to Galgali, the BMC is overpaying for outsourced projects, with some contracts costing 200% to 300% more than comparable projects. He suggested that the BMC should request bid documents and cost estimates from agencies like MMRDA to reassess the rates.
Galgali also accused BMC officials of inflating tender prices, saying, “If action is taken against such officers, no one will do such a job in the future.” He emphasized that the people of Mumbai are bearing the brunt of these inflated costs.
The Lower Parel parking project is now under scrutiny, as calls for accountability grow.
