Redevelopment of 60-yr-old Khar market in Mumbai likely to start by year-end
Sanjay Kurhade, assistant municipal commissioner (Markets), said the developer has been issued a schedule and the deadline for the project is March 2020
Built more than 60 years ago, Acharya Aatmaram Bhau Lad mandai or Khar market in Khar (W) is likely to be redeveloped under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) market revamp policy. The redevelopment plan for the 5,080 sq m plot was submitted by the developer in March. The civic officials said the work is likely to start by year-end.
According to the revamp policy of 2011, vegetable, fruit and cloth vendors of the decades-old market are to be rehabilitated by the developer to the lower floors of the new building. As per the plan submitted to the building proposal department, the rest of the 12-storeyed building would be used for housing purposes, BMC offices and a laboratory.
Sanjay Kurhade, assistant municipal commissioner (Markets), said the developer has been issued a schedule, which he has to abide by once the plan is proposed. The deadline for the project is March 2020.
“The demolition work is expected to start in the next four months. If the schedule goes haywire, the contract could be revoked and the BMC may take over the project,” Kurhade told HT.
Kishor Kolte, executive engineer of building proposal special cell, said the approval for the project would be given only after the plan is scrutinised. “Finishing the construction of the market space is the priority,” he said.
One of the 332 licence holders, who has been operating from the market for nearly 60 years, said, “Many of us are against this developer. He is infamous for delaying projects. We want the BMC to execute this project and finish complete it within a year.”
According to the BMC’s policy, while 70% of licensees can appoint a developer, the civic body’s role is limited to verification of the consents given by the licensees. A senior official said vendors are eligible for a compensation from the builder until they are rehabilitated.