Students unveil ‘Vision’ary Juhu project plan for a better suburb
Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute’s design cell arm developed the master draft…….Ritika Verma. Juhu
Students of Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture and Environmental Studies (KRVIA) design cell made a presentation of a master plan, Reimagining the Public Realm: Vision Juhu Initiative, based on six months of research, on August 31. The plan was unveiled at the Kishanchand Valecha Sabhagruha, opposite Vidyanidhi School in JVPD Scheme.
Siddharth Nadkarny, student member of KRVIA deasign cell said, ‘The Vision Juhu project attempts to come up with a proposal that is representative of the will and desires of the people in the area. On August 31, about 200 people from representatives of Moragaon to the office-bearers of the JVPD Residents?’ Associations were invited. The draft proposal was presented and their views and suggestions were solicited. The healthy response has encouraged us to come up with a printed version of the draft proposal. We intend to conduct a few more meetings over the next few weeks to ensure the proposal is reflecting the wishes of the maximum number of people. We also intend to talk to government agencies like the MMRDA, MHADA as well as the BMC regarding the implementation of the proposal.?”
One of the proposals made was about the nullah that runs through Juhu. The BMC?s BRIMSTOWAD project envisages clearing out a six metre space on either side of the nullah.
“However, the plan calls for concretising the walls of the nullah and the six-metre stretch, which would be disastrous for flood relief. The proposal envisages a ‘green belt’ along the nullah which would become a holding ground for floodwater. At the same time, they become public recreational spaces during non-flooding periods, “Nadkarny informed.
The second proposal is that the metro line from Charkop to Mankhurd have three stations relevant to Juhu. Some of these stations have been literally plonked on top of busy roads. The stations at 10th Road and V M Road will add to traffic problems on these roads.
Namrata Kapoor, another member of the design cell, informed, “The proposal calls for shifting the metro station on 10th Road to align it with the green belt along the nullah. A small portion of the green belt can be converted into a pedestrian pathway. At the same time, the floating population that enters the area to use the institutions and beach can be efficiently channelised along this belt.”
Explaining the third proposal Nadkarny said, “A six to eight metre pathway can be acquired from AAI along the edge of the airport land (where Pawan Hans is situated) to create another green belt along Ward 64. Slums along the airport walls can be rehabilitated with adequate amenities along this belt, and it can be an efficient pedestrian movement system to the beach.”
Adolf D’Souza, councillor of ward number 63 in Juhu said, ‘For the first time, citizens have been asked what changes they would like in their area. We have started taking suggestions from people and presented them once to the All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG). Vision Mumbai is the programme Vision Juhu comes under.’
Nadkarny informed, ‘A study of the precinct of Juhu was conducted by the design cell in collaboration with P K Das Associates and the Mumbai Waterfronts Centre.’
D’Souza said, ‘When the presentation was made, only six corporators (including me) came to give their views. AIILSG hasn’t corresponded since February.’