BMC chief approves facelift for Sobo to attract tourists

Ajoy Mehta approves slew of measures for CST, Marine Drive, Churchgate

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta has recently approved a slew of measures for A-ward that consists of Marine Lines, Nariman Point, Churchgate and a lot of other tourist locations in the city, to attract more visitors.

Mehta visited various locations on Tuesday where he said that the chowkies should be modernised, and a viewing gallery be added in front of BMC headquarters so that tourists can click photos without disrupting traffic. He has also approved the construction of e-toilets on the Marine Drive promenade.

In addition to this, the municipal commissioner is most likely to approve shifting of over 77 licensed hawkers from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) to MG Road, the lane opposite city’s famous Fashion Street. The move was initiated to maintain cleanliness and smoothen pedestrian movement in the area.

Meanwhile, the civic body is also in loggerheads with Bombay Gymkhana which occupies the space on MG Road that has been chosen by the BMC to shift the hawkers to.

BMC aims to create a pedestrian plaza on MG Road with special kiosks for hawkers on the road. The idea has been proposed for all tourist spots in the island city that has a high footfall such as Nairman Point and Marine Lines.

Also, MG Road which houses chowkies or small offices of various departments, will also be re-constructed and in some cases it will also have glass walls to provide clear view of Azad Maidan. At present the stretch is littered with garbage, experiences illegal parking and has haphazard construction works.

Keeping in mind the high footfall and traffic outside CST, a gallery will be designed for tourists to take photos of themselves and other iconic structures around CST. Mehta also approved the plan to construct a pathway from Bhati Baug near CST to smoothen pedestrian movement.