The defunct Mahim subway may soon become the new hotspot for the city’s amateur artists, if the BMC implements plans to convert the place into an art gallery. The subway, built at a cost of Rs3 crore in 2008, remained non-operational from the start, thanks to its poorly placed entry points which served no purpose to commuters.
Civic officials are deliberating over how to utilise the subway, now an eyesore for nearby residents as well as the authorities.
Officials from the G-north ward said the decision to reopen the subway as an art gallery was forthcoming, and they were awaiting final approval from headquarters.
“Even if the decision is taken, it will only be put to use after three months, once the elections and its related activities are over,” said a civic official.
Earlier, the BMC had planned to start an art gallery in the spacious Metro subway.
Residents of Mahim had opposed the subway right from the start, but the BMC went ahead with its construction. The severest opposition came from St Michael’s Church, whose authorities felt that one of the subway’s entry points, adjoining the church building, would obstruct churchgoers.
When the civic authorities looked for an alternative outlet, they learnt that a major water pipeline was running beneath the road the civic engineers had chosen for the opening of the subway. This left the BMC with no option but to leave the subway half done.
The residents of the area are wary of the prospective art gallery, whose location may be a hindrance to itself.
“Instead, BMC should open a library and study centre for poor kids who don’t have enough space in their homes to study,” said Yakub Hamlani, a social activist from Mahim.
Anwar Khan, a member of the Mahim Dargah Road Resident Association, said, “The subway is on part of an open space that can be given back to us, and we can develop it well for public use.”
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