Mumbai: Even as the Rs 122-crore Mumbadevi robotic parking project remains stalled under Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s stay since July 2024, the BMC has floated a Rs 58-crore tender to beautify the temple precinct. The move has raised concerns that the proposed works could overlap with the parking project, which its contractor, SMS Ltd, has challenged in the Bombay High Court while seeking Rs 55 crore in damages.The development comes a month after the Bombay High Court observed that government officials who illegally halt public projects, resulting in damages, should be made to pay from their own salaries rather than burden taxpayers. The court made the observation while hearing a petition filed by infrastructure company SMS Ltd challenging the stoppage of the robotic parking project near Mumbadevi temple.According to BMC officials, the civic body has reduced the original project cost from Rs 220 crore to Rs 28 crore. However, they said the newly proposed precinct redevelopment could affect the plot earmarked for the robotic parking tower.“The ongoing parking project has been left as is in the new tender. The same work has been on hold for over 1.5 years, yet a tender has been floated for development of the adjoining area. Further, the tender also encroaches on the parking reservation, which is in violation of the DP Rules and Regulations,” an official said.Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma said she would seek details of the court case and examine the matter.At its last hearing, the HC allowed SMS Ltd to amend its petition and challenge the new tender if it is found to cover the same parking project. It also directed the BMC and state government to file their replies. The next hearing is scheduled for August 18. The BMC’s tender for precinct beautification is currently open and will close on August 17.Work on the partly constructed 17-storey robotic parking tower, which can accommodate 600 vehicles, has remained stalled since Narwekar ordered the stay in July 2024. Narwekar had opposed the tower citing concerns raised by locals that it would affect the aesthetics and heritage character of the iconic Mumbadevi temple.Narwekar has said the project raises questions of faith, devotion and feasibility, particularly as the tower could obstruct the temple’s view. In January 2025, the state Urban Development Department asked Narwekar to take a decision on the matter after then Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani warned that prolonged delays could escalate the project cost.
