A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the tender awarded for the construction of an elevated multilevel Electro-Mechanical Car Parking System (Shuttle and Robo Parker System) at Worli. The petition, filed by 66-year-old Kamlakar Shenoy, alleges irregularities in planning and tendering and claims that no proper study was conducted before initiating the project.
The project is to be built on a 1,972.98 sq. mt. plot near the Engineering Hub Building. A scientific study by the Mumbai Traffic Authority determined the need for parking in the area to be 177 four-wheelers, 535 two-wheelers, 62 light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and nine heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs). However, the tender issued on March 3, 2023, proposed parking for 640 four-wheelers only, neglecting other vehicle categories.
M/s Master & Associates, appointed as the Project Management Consultant (PMC), estimated the project cost at Rs 165.51 crore. The lowest bidder, SMS Ltd. with technical partner Sotefin, quoted Rs 198.59 crore but refused to negotiate. The Traffic Department recommended canceling the tender due to exorbitant pricing, and it was canceled on October 23, 2023. However, the PMC later submitted a revised estimate of Rs 216.94 crore without significant changes to the project’s scope, design, or area. The petitioner alleges a cost inflation of 25-30% without justification, calling it a misuse of public funds.
Shenoy claims the project is unnecessary given the limited need for four-wheeler parking and the lack of consideration for other vehicles. Similar projects at Matunga and Mumbadevi, initiated in 2022, have seen no progress, highlighting the Traffic Department’s lack of expertise in such systems. “Before committing such a huge amount of public money, it was incumbent on the respondents to study the need, viability, and lifespan of such computerized systems,” the petition states.
The PIL highlights irregularities in the tendering process, including approvals granted unusually quickly. The tender, floated on December 27, 2023, was published in newspapers the next day, with Shree Enterprises emerging as the lowest bidder. Notably, Sotefin was the technical partner for all three bidders. The petition alleges, “The malpractices committed by the PMC and respondents to favor the vendor are against public interest and misuse of public money.” It also questions the cost per parking slot, which is significantly higher at Rs 17.40 lakh compared to Rs 9.32 lakh in Matunga and Rs 10.57 lakh in Mumbadevi, where initially there were plans to construct similar parking.
The PIL prays for quashing the tender, revoking sanctions, and restraining authorities from releasing funds. It emphasizes that the project wastes resources and taxpayer money while ignoring critical public needs.
The PIL will come up for hearing in due course of time.