Mumbai: Coastal Road’s twin underground parking lots to open this month

Coastal Road promenade stretch between Worli Seaface and Breach Candy Hospital. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE; Location Courtesy/Samudra Mahal Society

Along with the Coastal Road promenade, two underground parking lots with a total capacity of 396 vehicles will be opened to the public within the month. These parking lots are located beneath the Coastal Road promenade - one at the Bindu Madhav Thackeray Junction and the other opposite Worli Dairy. They can be accessed from Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road (formerly known as the Worli Sea Face).

A senior official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Coastal Road Department told mid-day, "Each parking lot has a capacity of 198 vehicles. The approach roads for both lots are from the Worli Sea Face promenade itself. They will be opened for parking at the same time as the promenade. The facilities will be handed over to the G South Ward office for maintenance."

This space became available through land reclamation for the Coastal Road Project, and it was decided to construct parking lots as a public amenity. Four such parking lots were originally planned as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project - including a four-storey underground public parking facility at Haji Ali and another at Amarsons in Breach Candy - aimed at adding a total of 1850 parking spots across the city. However, due to opposition from Breach Candy residents, the construction of the parking lot there has been put on hold.

Construction of the parking lot at Haji Ali will begin soon, according to another official from the Coastal Road Department. "This facility will add 1065 parking spots, of which 216 will be reserved for differently-abled citizens. In addition, 200 spots will be equipped with electric charging points. The plan was upgraded to accommodate the expected tourist footfall at the upcoming theme park at Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Haji Ali Dargah. Seventy spots have been reserved for buses."

"Out of the four parking lots planned under the Coastal Road Project, the two at the Worli promenade are now ready. Minor finishing work, such as painting and surfacing of the access road, is still pending. Opening them alongside the promenade will streamline parking for tourists visiting the area," the official added.

396
No of cars that can be accommodated

1065
No of parking spots to be added at Haji Ali