Residents of the N.M. Joshi Marg BDD Chawl have demanded that one parking space be provided per house in the rehabilitated buildings under the redevelopment project. The residents had been pursuing this demand with the state government and MHADA. However, the Mumbai Board of MHADA has now rejected the request, stating that it is not feasible to provide one parking space per house. A letter conveying this decision has been sent to the residents, triggering widespread discontent.
MHADA’s Mumbai Board is carrying out the redevelopment of the Worli, N.M. Joshi Marg, and Naigaon BDD Chawls, where construction of rehabilitated buildings is currently underway. Parking facilities are being provided as part of the redevelopment. As per Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) regulations, one parking space is mandatory for every four houses. Considering the growing need for parking, the Mumbai Board decided to provide one parking space for every two houses, and this policy is being implemented across the project.
However, in the Worli BDD redevelopment, which has been classified as a special project, one parking space per house has been provided, offering relief to residents there. This disparity has led to dissatisfaction among residents of N.M. Joshi Marg and Naigaon, where such a provision has not been made. Consequently, residents of N.M. Joshi Marg submitted a formal request to MHADA seeking equal parking facilities, but the Mumbai Board has now turned down the demand.
According to MHADA, the ground-floor construction of the rehabilitated buildings on N.M. Joshi Marg has been completed, making structural changes impossible. The Board has also cited financial constraints and stated that modifications to the approved layout are no longer feasible.
Appeal to the Chief Minister
The written refusal has intensified residents’ resentment, as parking is considered a critical amenity and insufficient space could lead to serious problems in the future. Despite the rejection, residents remain firm in their demand.
While acknowledging that changes to the existing buildings may not be possible, residents have suggested alternative solutions, including the construction of a separate parking structure or allocation of parking space in sale-component buildings. The issue will now be taken up with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a meeting with him is expected soon, said Krushnakant Nalge, President of the N.M. Joshi Marg BDD Redevelopment Committee.
Also Read: Mumbai: Historic Parle Factory in Vile Parle Gets Clearance for Redevelopment of Commercial Project