IE : Elevated hawking plazas to free up pavements : Oct 23, 2007

Now, elevated hawking plazas to free up pavements
MMRDA to study feasibility of concept on recently-widened Sion-Dharavi Link Road
 KAVITHA IYER
OCTOBER 22

FOLLOWING a free-wheeling discussion between officials and legislators on what the suburbs require most urgently, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is now toying with a unique idea to decongest key roads-elevated hawking plazas that could finally free up pavements for pedestrians.

At a joint meeting on Monday attended by nearly 30 elected representatives of the city, Metropolitan Com missioner Ratnakar Gaikwad and Municipal Commisisoner Dr Jairaj Phatak, as conversation veered towards traffic, hawkers and the need to clear roads for vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement, the idea of an elevated structure along footpaths was discussed.

“To free the roads of hawkers while also ensuring that hawkers do not lose their livelihood, the MMRDA will study the feasibility of such a concept,” said an MMRDA official. One of the roads suggested for a study is the Sion Dharavi Link Road, recently widened by the MMRDA. If feasible, the MLAs would be apprised of the cost implications, the official said.
After the meeting, Gaikwad emphasized the significance of involving elected representatives in all infrastructure-building plans for Mumbai.

“They understand the problems in their area better than anyone else,” he said. He also said he would hold such discussions with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation every quarter.
“The elected representatives shared various problems faced in their respective constituencies with the metropolitan commissioner,” said Bandra MLA Baba Siddique, one of those who attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Shrikant Singh and other officials will accompany elected representatives to the site of the proposed elevated road across chronic flooding spot Milan Subway on Tuesday. While the MMRDA is to soon start construction of the 850-metre flyover connecting Swami Vivekananda Road and the Western Express Highway at a cost of Rs 34.59 crore,

 

Vile Parle MLA Ashok Jadhav and Santacruz MLA Kripashankar Singh on Monday raised the issue of the marble shop owners to be displaced. They also had some queries regarding the altered alignment of the flyover. Over 150 shopkeepers would have to be given alternative shops in the vicinity, said MMRDA officials.
 
Publication : IE; Section : MN; Pg : 1; Date : 23/10/07

URL : http://70.86.150.130/indianexpress/ArticleText.aspx?article=23_10_2007_521_002