As if to pepper talks about revamping the Byculla zoo, here is news that the concrete jungle around it will expand.
Two multi-level parking facilities and a residential tower are being planned on a plot originally meant for the zoo’s extension.
The plot, measuring 6.26 lakh sq ft, is right behind the zoo and is under the possession of Mafatlal Industries Ltd, part of the Arvind Mafatlal Group.
The entire land was originally reserved in the city’s development plan for the extension of the zoo.
A residential tower is now being planned on the same plot. The firm has also proposed a 19-storey public parking facility with a capacity for 4,149 vehicles. A separate private parking facility (capacity 3,700) has been proposed as well.
The firm has approached the roads department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to approve the projects. Sanction from a five-member high-powered committee, which includes representatives from the roads department, is needed to set up public parking facilities on private land.
If approved, the proposed parking will be the biggest envisaged so far. But questions are being asked about the need for the parking spaces.
“Do we really want such a huge parking facility near a green-zone like the zoo?” asked BJP corporator Manoj Kotak.
HS Thakkar and Associates, the architects, have, however, argued that the parking facility will be beneficial as there are no such facilities within and near the zoo. The built-up area (BUA) for the facility will be above 15 lakh sq ft. The owners stand to avail of 50% of the BUA as FSI incentive, to be utilised for the residential tower.
