The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is looking to redevelop its bitumen testing lab in Worli at a cost of Rs 519 crore, paving the way for the construction of a 29-storey building that includes a multi-level parking lot and public offices. However, the plan has come under fire from city-based activists, who have called for the tender to be canceled amid concerns about the project causing losses of up to Rs 300 crore.
Located on Worli’s SK Ahire Marg, BMC will construct a 29-storey building – which includes parking and office spaces – by redeveloping the asphalt plant’s material testing lab, which is currently on site.
While the first 13 floors of the building will have mechanized parking spaces that can accommodate around 550 cars, the 14th to 19th floors will house a testing lab. Meanwhile, other floors will accommodate offices including the Civic Roads department.
Recently, the civic body received a tender of Rs 519.14-crore to build the facility.
However, the plan has met with criticism from city activists. Demanding cancellation of the tender, RTI activist Anil Galgali pointed out that the tender is coming at a time when existing parking schemes in Matunga, Mumbadevi, Fort and Worli have resulted in losses.
Raising concern over the loss of Rs 300 crore, Galgali wrote to civic chief Bhushan Gagrani and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, saying, “Without listening to the previous complaint, the authorities issued a fresh tender of Rs 520 crore for 548 parking spaces in the area of -asphalt in South Lower Parel… Rs 95 lakh per vehicle. This will result in a loss of Rs 300 crore in this tender.”
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