Breach Candy Residents Meet BMC to Discuss Coastal Road Control Centre Concerns

Mumbai: Residents of Breach Candy voiced their apprehensions during a meeting with officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) coastal road department regarding the height and location of the integrated command control centre under construction behind Tata Gardens. Initially approved as a ground-plus-one structure, the control centre's height appears taller due to a raised foundation of 9.8 metres, bringing its total elevation to 18 metres.

The meeting, attended by representatives from the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF), BMC officials, consultants AECOM, and contractor L&T, revealed additional details about the centre, including plans for a parking lot for 300 cars and the deployment of backup diesel generators, raising concerns about traffic, pollution, and loss of open space. The structure is designed to monitor ventilation, lighting, and air pollution along the coastal road stretch, with a permanent staff of 30.

Residents expressed dismay over the increased congestion and environmental impact the project could bring to the already densely populated area. BCRF plans to escalate their grievances to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, seeking modifications such as eliminating the parking facility and generator and adding foliage to blend the structure into the surroundings.