Mumbai: The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) has granted in-principle approval to BMC’s proposal for developing a plaza in front of the Kala Ghoda statue and converting five more adjoining streets into pedestrian-only zones — taking total such streets to 10. The cost is estimated at Rs 10 crore, reports Richa Pinto.BMC had last year announced its plan to make the Kala Ghoda area a pedestrian-only zone on weekends. For this, work is in final stages at five streets under Phase 1 of the Kala Ghoda beautification project.MHCC nod for Phase 2 has come with riders advising civic authorities to keep the public plaza open for public activities and all parking to be planned underground. With Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) granting in-principle approval to Phase 2 of the Kalaghoda beautification project, the road outside the now-shut Rhythm House (a portion of K Dubash Road) is planned to be converted into a plaza and the road outside Jehangir Art Gallery a two-way street. A combination of materials — Basalt Natural Finish Stone, Basalt Leather Finish Stone, Maroon Granite Stone and Yellow Granite Stone — will be used for flooring and design of the plaza. Landscaping of the plaza will be done with trees such as Bakul Tree, Variegated Pendanus, Heliconia Psittacorum, Purple Heart and Golden Durante.Currently, work is in final stages to replace asphalt lanes with cobblestones at V B Gandhi Marg, Rutherfield Street, Rope Walk Lane, Saibaba Road, and B Bharucha Road under Phase 1 of the Kalaghoda beautification project. Five roads to undergo revamp in Phase 2 are Mahatma Gandhi Road, K Dubash Road, Nagindas Road, Chamber of Commerce Lane and Forbes Street; all have been barricaded.Last Sept, BMC announced a pedestrian-only zone at Kalaghoda on weekends, from 5pm to midnight. It was discontinued once Phase 1 work on the five roads began. “As soon as execution started on Nov 26, 2024, the contractor barricaded these stretches. Now, with 80% of Phase 1 completed, we plan to revive weekend pedestrian movement by next month,” a civic official said. MHCC nod for Phase 2 has come with riders. Officials said plans are being drawn up to extend the existing parking facility into an underground structure.Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar welcomed the initiative and credited local MLA Rahul Narwekar for it. “Given the extensive work required in Phase 2 of the project, it can be further divided in Phases 2A and 2B. Initiatives like extending the existing parking facility at Kalaghoda into underground parking will be part of phase 2B. We are happy to see this plan taking shape. This initiative is set to transform Kalaghoda into a greener, more pedestrian-friendly space,” he said.
