Mumbai News: CM Devendra Fadnavis Backs Malabar Hill Citizens' Demand To Widen Walkeshwar Road As Per Development Plan 2034
Mumbai: In a step ahead in Malabar Hill residents demand to widen the Walkeshwar Road to 27.45 mts from existing 17 mts as per the city's Development Plan 2034, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have responded positively and written to Municipal Commissioner to 'act as per the directions given by him in the past'. The Malabar Hill Citizens Association (MHCA) wrote to the CMO on June 21 and now awaiting response from the BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani.
"It was only after the CM's directive, the BMC gave stop work notice for construction of a 14 storeyed building at the Teen Batti junction. We are now waiting for the BMC Commissioner to act upon revocation of the resolution bearing No. 1314 dated 16/01/2023 under which reduction of sanctioned width of Walkeshwar road was notified (from 27.45 to 17 mts) section 297(1) 9(b) of MMC Act, 1988 which is needs to be revoked as provided under section 520(b) (c) of MMC Act. This is necessary for the Stop Work Notice to serve its real purpose," said Jaswant Mehta, conveyer of MHCA.
The widening of Walkeshwar Road- from Afghan Consulate to Teen Batti junction is been prescribed in the city's Development Plan since 1967. Notably, the arterial road sees regular VIP movement as the governor, all cabinet ministers bunglows, state guest house, high court chief justice's residence and many other dignitaries residences and offices including the Mantralaya are connected through this road.
The Free Press Journal had reported on May 5 that issued a Stop-Work notice for the proposed three-basement plus ground plus 14 storeyed building at Walkeshwar Road near Teen Batti junction, near Raj Bhavan- the governor's bunglow.
The residents have been demanding to increase the width of the existing 13.4 mt road to as per the Development Plan, however the civic body not only failed to widen the four lane road citing uneven land, but ironically sanctioned a high-rise on the same steep slope land, which had irked the residents.
The notice issued by BMC D ward official to Architect Preeti Kashyap Barai and developer Dilip Chunilal Chandan said, "The commencement certificate is not endorsed as per the last amendment plans and thereby you are directed to not start any work on the proposed residential building on CS 156 at Walkeshwar Road, until further orders from building proposal department regarding the issue of reduction of the road length at Walkeshwar Road."
Chief Engineer (Development Plan) of the BMC, "Although the road width is prescribed under the Development Plan, the road line reduction, widening work comes under the Roads department. If there is an action concerned to revocation of any resolution is to be taken the Chief Engineer Roads will decide accordingly."