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ShareThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to amend the Development Control (DC) regulations to convert a green zone into a commercial one near Kamla Nehru park at Malabar Hill has been shelved and a viewing gallery is finally being planned where Cafe Naaz once stood.
"The matter is pending in court and so we thought that commercial exploitation is not immediately possible. Hence, we are now looking at providing the viewing gallery, which the residents have been asking for," said Anil Diggikar, additional municipal commissioner.
Diggikar had earlier told DNA that the hydraulic department had declared the structure too weak to bear the load of a viewing gallery. "Columns will be built from outside and there will be a slab put up for the viewing gallery. The design will be prepared in a month and will be tabled at BMC's standing committee meeting," said Diggikar.
The residents had also felt that contemplating changes in DC rules could destroy their most coveted location. Over a thousand morning walkers and residents had written to chief minister Ashok Chavan in July with their objections.
"We have always maintained that the area's character should be preserved and there should be a viewing gallery with a spectacular view for morning walkers and residents," said Indrani Malkani, secretary, Malabar Hill Residents' Association.
