Malad station area gets roomier with new road

MUMBAI: Four months following the BMC's demolition of sections of shops outside the crowded Malad station vicinity, which also included portions of the renowned MM Mithaiwala store being razed, the proposed public road has now been constructed and is ready for public use.
Officially known as Anand Road the total length of the stretch is 650 metres and width 13.40 metres.When the BMC undertook the demolition work in April this year, a few of the shops had approached the city civil courts for relief. However, the same was not granted to them. Allowing the BMC to continue with its action. Officials from BMC's P North ward said that the road was a one-way but now it's eligible for a two-way for the first time due to the constructing of the additional road. "We are in consultation with the traffic police for the same," said a official adding that the work was delayed due to the monsoon, or the same would have been ready much earlier.
The Malad Station area is a major hub for shoppers with stores of artificial jewellery, a fish market and other speciality markets operating daily. Locals are also looking forward to the new road stretch.
Former Malad corporator Vinod Mishra from the BJP said that the stretch has been known for traffic jams in the past due to which accidents would also be reported. "The widening should bring in major relief not only to motorists but also pedestrians who would have to navigate their way out through the jams. However we have received complaints about variations in the rehabilitation of the affected parties. This needs to be done in a fair manner with no extra favours to anyone," said Mishra. He further pointed out that the BMC often follows the 'Kurar pattern' as a compensation measure for impacted shop owners. Under this pattern, affected shop owners are granted permission to construct ground-plus-one storey structures. However, Mishra cautioned against the rampant misuse of the Kurar pattern citywide, resulting in the construction of multi-level commercial slum-like structures.