In our November 2024 issue we had highlighted the above-mentioned topic on front page. We had also published no. of letters received from concerned readers who were surprised and shocked that for such an important arterial road careless decision has been taken by the Corporation and that too the segment of a road at a crucial junction like Teen Batti.
The fact remains that Walkeshwar Road which is not only the link to Raj Bhawan, but residencies of Ministers and High-court Judges besides Hanging Garden and Kamla Nehru Park, the prestigious parks of South Mumbai. Also this road is a vital link for the numerous residential buildings in areas of Walkeshwar, Banganga, Ridge Road, Dungersi Road, Manav Mandir Road, Mount Pleasant Road, L.D. Ruparel Marg and surrounding areas.
This road has been neglected by the Corporation in the last 6 decades. Even the buildings which have come up during this period and where 10 metres road setbacks are provided, the Corporation has not bothered to take possession of this setback. Even the space for footpath which are almost non-existent or merely a metre wide on most of the length has not been provided. The new buildings which have come up in the last 2 decades, where as per the rules, the setback area has to be handed over at the time of plinth checking. There is gross violation and owners have managed to keep full possession with them and build compound wall without handing over the land.
t was shocking to learn that the entire exercise of reducing this prescribed width was initiated 4 years after the publication of 2034 DP as even in 2018 final notification for 2034 DP the prescribed width was mentioned at 27.45 metres for this stretch of road. It was only in January 2023 i.e after a period of four & half year the prescribed width was reduced from 27.45 to 17 metres
The Sunday Mumbai Mirror (Times of India Sunday Supplementary in their 15th December, 2024) issue has covered the news in details.
We understand the following is the basis of reducing the road width:
1. The road width which was planned new and sanctioned at 27.45 metres on the above stretch of road way back in 1967 was reduced to 17 metres in 2034 DP. as per note of Deputy Chief Engineer Traffic in August 2022.
2. The summary of study has concluded that based on traffic situation topography survey and geological constraints in the area surveyed, there will be no significant deterioration in traffic conditions in terms of level of service even if the Walkeshwar Road width continues to stay at 13.9 metres.
Some of our readers have written to the Municipal Commissioner asking for the copy of above-mentioned reports and filed application under RTI. Strange as it may sound that as per BMC officer’s note the widening is not possible due to gradient of the road etc and drop of 10 metres, whereas the plans are approved on the same side of road right near Teen Batti Junction for a building have ground + 14 upper floors & 3 basements with 12 metres depth.
From the available information it is very apparent that the Corporation initiated this exercise to reduce the width of the road only after March 2022. The brief chronology in this regard is summarised below:
August 2022: Report submitted by BMC DP Department regarding traffic & soil stability etc to justify reduction of width from 27.45 to 17.00 metres.
January 2023: BMC published notification to reduce the width from 27.45 to 17.00 metres. The setback area now gets reduced from 1040 Sq. metres to mere 332 Sq. Metres.
July 2023: Developer’s Proposal submitted for construction of Ground + 14 storied building with 3 basements IOD issued having depth of 12 metres.
May 2024: Plans sanctioned by GBMC for Ground + 14 storied building with 3 basements. IOD issued (as per our knowledge soil stability report from recognised & accredited institute has not been submitted as yet).
Commencement Certificate is yet to be issued.
A meeting had taken place with concerned residents alongwith Editor of this newsletter with the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan. The response of His Excellency was very positive, and mentioned that he will arrange a meeting with the Municipal Commissioner for necessary clarification and discussion. Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodhaji – our popular and dynamic MLA representing our constituency has also expressed surprise and shock at this development and has assured full support for restoration for 27.45 meters prescribed width.
All residents of Malabar Hill area those who use Walkeshwar Road regularly need to come together jointly and raise their voice against utter neglect on Walkeshwar Road by the Corporation.
