Churchgate revival plan to be unveiled

There are no second thoughts about bringing back Churchgate to its old glory. For the first time, resident associations in Churchgate, conservation groups, the BEST, the traffic police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have come together to present a Churchgate revival plan. The plan is based on a study done by the residential association and the Urban Research Development Institute in 2000, and work has already begun on parts of this plan since November 2001.The project involves a major overhauling of the entire space management, and public transport system, taking into consideration demands of the residents and commuters, and is being done phase by phase. Progress continues to be slow but steady, since it involves coordination among the various agencies.
The question of hawking and non-hawking zones continue to be a touchy issue, since the matter is in court, and the hawkers’ union is firm on its stand. “We are not anti-hawking,� says Neerja Punj, co-convener, Churchgate Revival team, “We are trying to regularise their working, with hygiene being maintained, and space to be managed, with the co-operation of their union.�
What makes the team enthusiastic is the detailed planning involved, and the sponsorship of the BMC. The plan divides the entire area into five sections -- Churchgate (E), Churchgate (W), Eros-Oval maidan side, Veer Nariman Road, J Tata Road. Each of these will be managed separately in two phases. In the first phase, angular parking will be created at the V N Road, one way traffic is proposed from J Tata Road, rounding at Eros Cinema, and at Churchgate (E), the divider outside the station has already been made continuous and a signal removed. To seek the co-operation of residents and commuters, the Churchgate Revival team is publicising it’s plan and releasing it on the evening of November 5.