The iconic Rang Bhavan building in Dhobi Talao area of south Mumbai is set to make way for Marathi Bhasha Bhavan, a centre which the state government had planned as part of its effort to conserve the language.
A proposal to this regard will be tabled before city corporators for their approval during civic body’s general body meeting to be held next month.
The more than 55-year-old amphi theatre, located close to the St Xaviers in BMC’s ‘A’ ward, has been non operational since 2003 after it was listed under silence zone. Following this, the urban development department changed plot reservation for the same, clearing road for constructing Marathi Bhasha Bhavan, which will house offices working for conserving the language.
According to the proposal, the new building will come up on an area admeasuring 5648.55 sq metres.
“The government has plans to construct a new building to house state language directorate, Marathi Rajya Vikas Sanstha, Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskriti Mandal and Marathi Vishvakosh Mandal. A proposal to this regard was earlier cleared by civic improvement committee which deals with matter relating land in the corporation. Now the proposal is being put forth for all corporators sanction. The new building will come up following approval by 227-capacity House of corporators,” a senior civic official said, wishing not to be named.
The state government is set to construct the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan spending Rs 80 crore, over a span of three years.
The Rang Bhavan, an open theatre was closed after the high court banned the use of loudspeakers at the venue as it falls in a silence zone — an area within 100 meters of either a hospital, court, religious structure or an educational institution.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena corporators have demanded the BMC to construct another centre to conserve the language. “I have been demanding the BMC to construct a centre to conserve the language to be built in Wadala. There is a plot available for this. The BMC should work towards it,” Trushna Vishwasrao, House leader in BMC and Shiv Sena corporator, reacted.
){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}