St. Martins lane in Bandra is providing a clear insight into what is currently wrong with Mumbai’s planning:
1) Arrogance of the municipal corporation and other authorities, which are supposedly meant to serve the large public interest but are more conducive to serve narrow vested interests.
2) Planning and decision making being taken over by a few officials, elected officials and business interests who have little or no concern for the larger consequences of the decisions they take.
2) No voice for the average citizen on how he or she would like their city and neighbourhood to be developed
(There is a picture album below the text portion which gives you an idea of the lane)
Some newspaper articles below to give an overview of the issue
St. Martins Road is a shady beautiful and quiet small road in Bandra which has a few beautiful bungalows from an age before. It’s quaint peaceful nature is a rarity now and needs to be preserved and enhanced, not destroyed.
These are the kind of streets and lanes, through which we love walking in Europe and America. Are we in India incapable of having any aesthetic sense? Is the municipal corporation blind to how they will destroy the beauty of the street by carrying out the road widening?
The lane does not have the kind of traffic flow that is being made out. BMC is sharing no data to validate its claims. Just issuing threatening notices. Licensed goondas.
Parking cannot be allowed on both sides in any condition. BMC needs to regulate that first to improve traffic flow.
The ambiance and the aesthetics of the streets also matter.
The manner in which the exercise is being carried out is uncivil and undemocratic and unbecoming of the municipal corporation of a city like Mumbai. There are clear indications that the intention of the exercise is not to improve traffic flow (of which there is little in the first place) and more to use the new width for angular parking of vehicles. Restaurants nearby have valet parking and a wider road will provide more capacity for angular parking. Should the beauty of the lane, its livability, its heritage look all be destroyed for the sake of parking for a few vehicles?
Buildings where the walls have already been pushed behind by a meter or so, cars instead of being parked parallel are now parked angular, thus in effect allowing exactly the same amount of road as before available for traffic flow.
This is one of the buildings which gave away its boundary wall. Most residents were completely against it. Now their flats abut the road and have to be completely closed and air-conditioned.
This is a representative view of the lane, currently bearing a very dustry and battered look, but quiet and a real pleasure to walk through
All the place created is used for parking cars. Pedestrians are still on the roads. No concept of footpaths, cars matter more.
This is Fabian building in this and the next picture. The wall is proposed to be broken and shifted back till where the cabin is visible. Should people staying on the ground floor not have a say? Who is BMC? Who is taking decisions on this?
Almost the whole white portion of the wall will go for road widening, since no portion is being taken from the bungalow opposite
This is exiting compound wall of the building, which will have to give a larger portion since the bungalow opposite will give none. So the road will have some recess portions and some jutting out portions and follow a wavy pattern. Anybodys guess how much thought has gone in facilitating traffic flow and how serious the BMC is about it.
This is the bungalow opposite which will not be touched because groups come and prayer here. So?
This is inside the compound view of the same building. The proposed new wall will thus stand in front of The balcony!!
Boundary wall of this small park demolished
But the wall of the building next to it will not be touched. So what will be achieved?
Parallel on one side, angular on another side. After road widening angular parking on both sides.
Boundary wall of a beautiful art deco style bungalow
Wall for this ubngalow is also proposed to be demolished
Where the properties have undergone redevelopment and handed over the compund space for the widening and got FSI, the additional road space created is used for angular parking of vehicles
Hawkers really are not that much a problem. It those real long cars – the Honda Accords – which are a problem
Beautiful trees along the road. Transplanting is a cam meant to siphon public money.
Where is the traffic?
H(W) Ward Office and its ugly colours.
This bungalow is classfiied as heritage. Wish it was better taken care off.
The boundary all next to the tree will be demolished. About a meter. Again where is the traffic on the road?
The red arrow and 0 mar indicates till where the demolition is proposed.
More of angular parking
This is the entrance from the Hill Road side
Some of us gathered on 28th December
This is one of the buidlings which gave setback some years back all for the benefit of one family which needed an elevator seen in the picture. Most of the residents are completely unhappy with the demolition and pushing back of their walls. Is this how we should operate as a society?
I am an environmental activist based in Mumbai, who has been closely involved with numerous issues in Mumbai since the late 90s. Began activism in my early 20's. Deep philosophical interest in nature, sustainability and the purpose of human life since an early age.
In the decade of 2001-10 I played a pioneering role towards the conservation of mangrove forests in Mumbai co-founding Mangrove Society of India (Mumbai Chapter) and managing the Chapter for a decade.
Have worked on numerous urban issues in Mumbai aimed at improving the quality of life of Mumbai citizens. Solid waste management, tree cover, public transport, municipal budget and governance.
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One thought on “Bullshit at St. Martins Road”
I totally agree with you. The only purse this widening will serve is to get benefit to builders building the corner plot and Amar society. The BMC a regularly parks 3-4 trucks completely in violation of traffic rules at the corner of the park. The other end near turner is used by Chinese restaurant for valet parking. These are the only beneficiaries. Sriniwasan, SHANTANU bldg
is providing a clear insight into what is currently wrong with Mumbai’s planning:
I totally agree with you. The only purse this widening will serve is to get benefit to builders building the corner plot and Amar society. The BMC a regularly parks 3-4 trucks completely in violation of traffic rules at the corner of the park. The other end near turner is used by Chinese restaurant for valet parking. These are the only beneficiaries. Sriniwasan, SHANTANU bldg