Mumbai: The Elphinstone Mill public parking lot (PPL) in Dadar (W) is under the scanner of citizens as it has been alleged of illegalities, encroachment and violation of tender conditions. A citizens’ welfare organisation has demanded immediate inspection of the PPL by accusing the parking operator of misuing premises for unauthorised commercial activities.
Chakachak Dadar Social Organisation, a citizens’ welfare organisation which works to highlight various civic issues in Dadar, has written a formal complaint to the assistant engineer (maintenance) of G/South ward alleging gross violations, unauthorised commercial activities, and encroachments at the Elphinstone Mill PPL.
@mybmc Public Parking Lot or Cheap Rental Warehouse?
— ChakaChak Dadar (@chakachakdadar) March 11, 2025
Commercial godowns, illegal garages, BMC assets theft & anti-social activities running openly in One Intl Centre @mybmcWardGS PPL in —violating BMC tender conditions!
Contractor illegally renting space at throwaway prices! pic.twitter.com/25gxkTSftT
About The Case
The complaint accused of unauthorised use of the PPL alleging its building management system toom of being illegally converted into a warehouse by a flower shop, while other rooms are being used for commercial storage including cardboard boxes and mineral water bottles. It also alleged that private garages are being run illegally in the basement, leading to unauthorised vehicle repairs in hazardous conditions.
Chakachak Dadar has also alleged that the underground parking area has been illegally occupied by fish-selling trucks while the upper floors remain empty and inadequately lit, posing serious security risks. It has been alleged that the parking spaces have been taken over by used car dealers by blocking local residents' access and denying rightful parking under false pretenses.
These unauthorised activities have been alleged to be violating the tender conditions and the public-private partnership guidelines. Moreover, the complainant has also alleged that the PPL lacks a computerised ticketing system as well as adequate staff to issue tickets, guide vehicle owners and conducting security checks. It also alleged that the PPL does not have any meal detectors while the CCTV cameras are non-functional, creating security risks.
The complainant has demanded the BMC to conduct an urgent inspection of the PPL to verify its bonafide use, maintenance state, and compliance with tender conditions. It has also urged the BMC to register an FIR against the parking operator and contractor and issue a show-cause notice to the contractor requiring an explanation for the violations. It also demanded that the license agreement of the contractor should be terminated for misusing municipal property, failing to provide adequate facilities and violating security and operational norms.
The contractor has been alleged of non-compliance with the DCPR 2034 regulation which mandates prioritising employment of mill workers and their family members. The BMC has been requested to act swiftly and provide an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the complaint at the earliest.
Chetan Kamble, founder of Chakachak Dadar, said, “The BMC needs to ensure that the PPL is restored strictly for commuter and visitor parking only, as per the contract agreement. If any untoward incident such as fire, structural collapse, or security hazard occurs due to these illegal activities, we will hold municipal authorities legally responsible for gross negligence.”