Mumbai’s historic Dadar Kabootarkhana has become the centre of a fresh civic and political debate after Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded its demolition to facilitate road widening and reduce traffic congestion near Dadar railway station.
The nearly 93-year-old pigeon-feeding structure, located on a traffic island at one of Mumbai’s busiest junctions, is now being considered as part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) traffic improvement and road redesign plans.
The development comes months after the Maharashtra government directed civic bodies across the state to restrict pigeon-feeding spots due to health and hygiene concerns. Following the directive, the BMC imposed a penalty of Rs 500 for feeding pigeons in public areas and intensified action against such activities across Mumbai.
On Tuesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Mahim, Mahesh Sawant, wrote to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, urging the civic body to reclaim the land occupied by the Kabootarkhana for public use and traffic management purposes.
“We propose to conduct a feasibility study and reclaim the kabootarkhana situated on the traffic island. Even widening the road by a few metres could significantly ease congestion at this bottleneck,” Sawant told The Indian Express.
“The structure has remained largely idle since the administration imposed restrictions on pigeon feeding. The space should now be utilised for the larger public good,” he added.
Civic officials confirmed that internal discussions have started regarding the future of the structure. According to officials, one proposal under consideration involves redesigning the traffic island while retaining part of the space.
“We will hold an internal meeting to decide the future course of action. One option under consideration is converting the existing water dispenser into a decorative fountain while retaining part of the island and using the remaining space for road widening,” a senior civic official said.
Built in 1933 and managed by a local trust, the Dadar Kabootarkhana has long been associated with Mumbai’s social and religious traditions, particularly the Jain practice of feeding birds as an act of compassion.
However, civic authorities have increasingly raised concerns over hygiene, public health and traffic management linked to pigeon-feeding zones across the city.
Source: The Indian Express
