Mumbai: BMC's Kala Ghoda Beautification Project Underway, Aims For Completion Before Festival On Jan 21

Mumbai: The Kala Ghoda beautification project, part of the BMC initiative, seeks to revamp five lanes in the heritage precinct. Currently, work is underway on V B Gandhi Marg (Forbes Street) and Rutherfield Street. With an allocation of Rs 90 lakhs for Phase 1, the project is set to be completed before the Kala Ghoda Festival on January 21.

The BMC is working to improve Kala Ghoda, a popular art area in Mumbai, by paving the streets with cobblestones. This will give the area a unique and elegant look. They will also install special lighting to enhance the atmosphere, especially during festivals.

The plan includes making the streets more pedestrian-friendly, with vehicles being permanently banned once the project is complete. The other streets that will be transformed include Rope Walk Lane, Saibaba Road, and B Bharucha Road.

Last year in September the BMC had launched a trial run of the ‘pedestrian-only’ plan by barring vehicular movement in the internal lanes only during the weekends.

"We recently received permission from the traffic department, making way for the commencement of phase-wise civil works. The total length of Phase 1 of the project spans approximately 90 meters. The entire project is expected to be complete by April 2025," said an official of 'A' ward.

The project involves civil work, including excavation, backfilling and stone laying, with a 100mm thick natural and deep leather finish. Additionally, a new utility network is being integrated as part of the upgrade. Landscaping work and electrical work installations are also being carried out as part of the comprehensive development of the area, said civic sources.