Former Congress MP Milind Deora is the latest to join the campaign against the proposed road-widening project at Malabar Hill. Saying that the project would encroach on the Kamala Nehru Park, Mr Deora has termed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to discuss the proposal in its improvements committee as “hasty.”
As a part of this project, the BMC has proposed a pedestrian walkway known as Siri Road into a motorable road by chopping down 72 trees in the park. Protesting against the move, local residents are up in arms against the BMC and have strongly demanded scrapping of the project. Chopping down the trees will destroy a pride garden as well as the natural ecology of the Malabar Hill along with loosening its rock formation, they have said. Mr Deora has asked the civic body to consult with the traffic department before going ahead with the project.
“Hasty of MCGM’s Improvement Committee to discuss Siri Road on Dec 29th when it encroaches on Kamala Nehru Park. Consult Traffic Dept first,” said the Congress leader from South Mumbai in a tweet.
According to the civic officials, the Chiranjilal Loyalka Marg, also known as Siri Road, is a walkway that connects the BG Kher Marg to the Tambe Chowk at Malabar Hill. The 535-metre road, partly made up of asphalt and paver blocks, then connects to the park area through steep steps and sharp turns. The road has been in use since 4-5 years and was used earlier for plying of vehicles, said civic officials.
