Mahapalika Road outside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters could soon receive heritage-style streetlights after BJP leaders urged the civic body to upgrade the stretch and create a more uniform streetscape with the surrounding heritage precinct.
The road, which runs directly alongside the iconic BMC headquarters and is frequently used by the city mayor, currently has conventional iron poles with silver-coloured fixtures. In contrast, nearby roads and public spaces have been fitted with decorative heritage-style lighting as part of Mumbai’s beautification initiatives.
The BMC headquarters is bordered by DN Road, which links the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) precinct with the civic building, and the road adjoining Azad Maidan. During the CSMT precinct beautification project undertaken in 2017, heritage-style streetlights were installed at several intersections, along with improvements to the CSMT subway.
However, Mahapalika Road remained outside that upgrade despite its location directly in front of the civic headquarters.
Ganesh Khankar, leader of the BMC House and a BJP leader, raised the matter with the A Ward officer on Tuesday. He pointed out that one side of the headquarters already features heritage-style lighting, while the prominent Mahapalika Road frontage lacks matching fixtures. Khankar sought decorative lights along the stretch and said the civic administration had responded positively to the suggestion.
The proposed upgrade would cover Mahapalika Road between Metro Junction and Mahapalika Junction, extending up to DN Road.
Civic officials said the proposal could be suitable given the number of prominent and heritage institutions located along the route. A senior official noted that the stretch includes the Government Technical Institute, St Xavier’s College, Cama Hospital, the Metropolitan Magistrate Court and the BMC headquarters.
Heritage-style lighting has already been introduced at several major locations across Mumbai, including Malabar Hill, the Gateway of India precinct and various public gardens.
For Mahapalika Road, officials said the proposal would need to follow the standard civic procedure. A Ward will first prepare a detailed cost estimate, secure the required administrative approvals and subsequently invite tenders for the work.
The proposal comes after extensive underground infrastructure activity on the road linked to Metro Line 3. The CSMT Metro station is located beneath Mahapalika Road, which has undergone significant utility and civil works related to the underground corridor.
An A Ward official said upgrading the road’s frontage could give the area around the BMC headquarters a more cohesive appearance, particularly as the building faces both DN Road and Mahapalika Road. The ward is expected to begin preparing the proposal as the civic body considers the heritage-style lighting upgrade.
