MUMBAI, May 16 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to build two underground parking projects in South Mumbai - at Kala Ghoda and near Regal Cinema - as part of its urban rejuvenation plan for South Mumbai's heritage precincts. The parking lots have received approval from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC). The tendering process is underway, with work on the Kala Ghoda project expected to begin after the monsoon, followed by the Regal junction project. The two facilities, designed to accommodate nearly 300 vehicles each, aim to reduce roadside parking and ease congestion in the densely packed 'A' ward, home to several colonial-era buildings, Art Deco structures, cultural institutions and tourist landmarks. The consultant appointed for the project is the Urban Design and Architecture Initiative (UDAI), led by architect Pritesh Bafna. The two parking facilities are part of a larger master plan for the stretch from Ballard Pier to Colaba. "As part of the larger master plan, we proposed interconnected plazas from Horniman Circle to Flora Fountain, Kala Ghoda, Regal and the Gateway of India. The aim is to improve the experience for everyone using these heritage spaces," said a civic source. The facilities will feature fully automated parking systems. Also, unlike the ongoing Flora Fountain underground parking project, where vehicle lifts are located on the surface, the Kala Ghoda and Regal projects will have all parking operations underground. "Even the vehicle queueing system will remain underground. Only staircases and passenger lifts will be visible above ground to maintain the heritage aesthetics," the source said. One of the major challenges during construction will be maintaining smooth traffic movement in this busy South Mumbai zone. However, civic officials said traffic management plans have been integrated into the project design. "We cannot stop traffic movement. There may be inconvenience relating to parking during construction, but vehicular movement will remain seamless," the source added. The idea for the underground parking facilities was initiated by Assembly Speaker and Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar along with former corporator Makarand Narwekar. Explaining the project's significance, Makarand Narwekar said South Mumbai's main issue was not narrow roads but stationary vehicles occupying carriage space. "Roads in A ward can handle traffic for several years. The real problem is friction caused by parked vehicles occupying lanes across areas like Gateway of India and Colaba," he said, adding that the vehicles create congestion and are an eyesore in the city's heritage precincts. He said South Mumbai's heritage character required modern yet sensitive urban solutions with efficient automated systems suited for the 21st century. Meanwhile, the BMC plans to introduce a smart parking guidance system in A ward with digital signboards displaying real-time parking availability and vacant slots at various parking facilities....