The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to demolish four concrete walls blocking access points to the Bandra Bandstand promenade, officials said.
The structures were reportedly built by the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT) without permission from the maritime authority. MMB and BMC officials said the walls are scheduled to be removed on Wednesday.
In a letter dated September 3 to the BMC’s H-West ward, the MMB said the walls were creating “obstructions” along routes used by pedestrians, senior citizens and tourists. It subsequently asked the civic body to take action and clear the barriers.
“We approached the BMC as we do not have the machinery required to remove the structures,” an MMB official said, requesting anonymity.
Complaint Over Access
The matter was raised by Shiraz Ahmed, founding director of the nonprofit Humanity World Foundation. Ahmed alleged that the walls had effectively been used to “gatekeep” the promenade and restrict access for hawkers, people from economically weaker sections and pet owners.
“Senior citizens and pedestrians are forced to take a detour to enter or exit the promenade due to the walls. When I complained about this to the MMB, they said that they had not erected the walls and checked with the BBRT,” Ahmed said.
MMB officials said the BBRT subsequently acknowledged that it had constructed the walls.
Residents’ Trust Explains Reason
Benedict Soares, chairperson of the BBRT, mentions that the structures were installed around five years ago following complaints from police about hawkers and “mischief makers” using the access points.
“Stormwater drainage work was also underway at the time, and we wanted to ensure that water did not enter the promenade. The walls were not put up for our benefit, but for the benefit of people,” Soares said.
The controversy centres on whether the barriers, initially described by residents as a security and drainage-related measure, have restricted public movement along the waterfront promenade.
The MMB’s direction places the responsibility for removing the structures with the civic body, which is expected to use its machinery to clear the access points.
The Bandra Bandstand promenade is a popular public waterfront destination frequented by residents, tourists, walkers and senior citizens. The proposed demolition is expected to restore easier pedestrian movement through the affected entrances and remove the physical barriers from the promenade’s access routes.
Source: Hindustan Times
