The abrupt decision of the BMC to cut ties with its joint venture partner — the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry — for the proposed Mumbai Arts and Crafts Centre project at Love Grove Pumping Station in Worli has shocked the country’s oldest business chamber.
The abrupt decision of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to cut ties with its joint venture partner — the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) — for the proposed Mumbai Arts and Crafts Centre (MACC) project at Love Grove Pumping Station in Worli has shocked the country’s oldest business chamber.
On Wednesday, officials said that they were taken aback when they read in the media about the end of their partnership with the civic body. What angered the officials was the corporation’s move of revoking the trust deed signed in 2002 without officially informing them and getting the new trust deed passed by the Standing Committee. With the civic body undertaking the project by themselves, urban planners and heritage activists have expressed their apprehensions — the loss of prime real estate to a high-rise and possibly a mall, part of which would house the MACC.
“It is a Rs35-40 crore project. We have spent around Rs1 crore for the initial project development by conservation architect Harshad Bhatia and the financial feasibility report by AF Ferguson. We have spent seven years planning this project. How can the civic body abruptly call off the deal without informing us?” asked ex-president Ashwini Kakkar.
The differences between the BCCI and the corporation arose early this year. While the BCCI opposed the move calling it a breach of trust, the civic body insisted for more representation of civic officials on the lines of the model adopted for the Bhau Daji Laud Museum.
“In a joint meeting two months ago, we shared our willingness to take more members on the trust provided the BCCI remains as the managing trustee. It is surprising to see civic officials insisting on the Bhau Daji Laud model when the museum is in total mess and yet to be reopened after four years,” said Kakkar. He questioned the move to appoint consultants for MACC without a proper tender.
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