The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has retracted its plan to build a restaurant-cum-hangout space at the Juhu parking lot in Mumbai. The decision came after strong opposition from residents and local authorities who emphasized that the area was designated for parking in the city's development plan. The proposed project by AAI was met with resistance, and local officials clarified that current regulations only allow for a security booth (chowky) to be constructed on land reserved for parking. The rollback is seen as a positive step, with hopes for the parking lot to be optimally utilized to address Juhu's parking issues.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to withdraw its plan to establish eateries at the Juhu parking lot. Initially, AAI had erected barricades around a portion of the parking lot to construct a restaurant and hangout space. However, local residents and officials pointed out that the area was designated for parking in the development plan.
The parking lot itself was created as a result of citizen efforts to protect Juhu Beach from encroachments. A public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court led to the establishment of two parking lots as part of Juhu Beach Redevelopment Plan.
The proposed changes by AAI faced strong opposition from citizens and local MLA Ameet Satam, who called for the cancellation of permission for the restaurant and hangout space in the parking lot. The opposition was rooted in the fact that the High Court's order did not permit facilities like restaurants and toilets on land meant for parking.
Architect and activist P K Das revealed that a meeting of the Juhu Beach monitoring committee was held, during which officials from the development plan department clarified that current laws only allowed construction of a chowky (security post) on land reserved for parking. As a result, the proposal for the restaurant and hangout space had to be abandoned. Das also submitted a proposal to build a multi-storey parking lot on the land, with the aim of meeting society's needs and generating revenue for AAI.
In summary, AAI has abandoned its plan to establish eateries at the Juhu parking lot after facing opposition from local residents, officials, and activists. The focus is now on utilizing the land as a parking lot to benefit the community and also increase AAI's revenue.
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