The municipal corporation might put on hold its plans to widen St Martin’s Road in Bandra (West).
The residents have been protested against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) project. They had signature campaigns, public meetings and had sent numerous letters over the last few months opposing the plan.
The BMC has sent notices to residents to carry out demolition work of their fences and compound walls. The demolition of compound walls was supposed to start on Monday but didn’t.
On Tuesday, additional municipal commissioner SVR Srinivas said he might reconsider the road-widening project, following repeated pleas from residents.
“The 35-feet-wide road is one-way. It could be made two-way after widening it, making it convenient for commuters. However, we are analysing the prospects and looking into the matter,” he said.
St Martin’s Road also boasts of a heritage bungalow — the Arc. They fear losing several full-grown trees as they might never be transplanted although civic officials have assured them they would.
“The authorities haven’t got back to us on the replies of the two notices that we received from the BMC. They may go ahead with the plan any day,” said Floyd Almeida, a resident of St Martin’s Road.
Assistant municipal commissioner of H-west ward Prashant Sapkale said many residents have surrendered their setback land for the purpose. “We couldn’t start the drive because we haven’t yet got police protection,” he said.
Like Almeida, other residents too are upset that the project will tamper with their homes, some of which are about 100 years old.
“We feel helpless, but are trying our best to save the land. It will affect our privacy and can bring about security concerns,” said Junaid Rokat, who has a bungalow in the area.
Almeida said that this was a residential area and traffic was not a problem. “We suggested them to park on one side of the road, go ahead with alternate parking and parking on odd and even days. But, the authorities failed to see reason.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}