BMC Appoints New Contractor to Resume Rs 298 Crore Parel Market Project
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) approved the appointment of a new contractor on June 27 to revive the stalled Rs 298 crore redevelopment of the Dr Shirodkar Market at Krishna Nagar on J.B. Road in Parel. The infrastructure project, which originally began nearly a decade ago, had been completely stalled since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The civic body awarded the contract to M/s Kunal-Hirani JV, which emerged as the lowest bidder among three participants in the tender process. The BMC's Standing Committee officially approved the proposal on Thursday, clearing the way for work to resume on the site.
The redevelopment had ground to a halt after the previous contractor abandoned the work during the pandemic. That contractor had sought a 30 percent price escalation to continue. Because the BMC agreed to only a 10 percent increase, the civic body terminated the contract and floated a fresh tender to complete the remaining work. Before stopping, the previous agency had only constructed a six-storey structure.
According to civic officials, the revised redevelopment plan will expand on the existing structure. The project now includes completing and vertically expanding the six-storey building, as well as constructing a new 21-storey tower and a 48-storey tower.
The completed complex will feature a modern market, multi-level parking, staff quarters, and rehabilitation units. It will also be equipped with essential infrastructure such as CCTV surveillance, fire-fighting systems, an integrated building management system, a sewage treatment plant, rainwater harvesting, underground water tanks, lifts, and power backup.
During the Standing Committee meeting, local political representatives raised questions regarding the details of the 43,458 square metre project. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) group leader Yashwant Killedar requested specific details on the number of staff quarters and rehabilitation units.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Yashodhar Phanse requested a detailed presentation on the project, pointing out that fisherwomen from Versova currently operate from the market. Additionally, BJP corporator Tejinder Singh Tiwana urged the administration to verify the financial capability of one of the joint venture partners, citing the long delays the project has already faced.
