Altamount Road wants to be Mumbai’s Beverly Hills

Designed sidewalks, bollard-style lighting, neighbourhood maps and street furniture. That’s the plan for the makeover of Altamount Road, the 10th most expensive address in the world, according to a survey by UK’s Wealth Bulletin in 2006, reports Bhavika Jain.

Designed sidewalks, bollard-style lighting, neighbourhood maps and street furniture. That’s the plan for the makeover of Altamount Road, the 10th most expensive address in the world, according to a survey by UK’s Wealth Bulletin in 2006.

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The makeover takes inspiration from the streets of Beverly Hills and France and the plan has been developed after a detailed survey of the underground utilities at Altamount Road. Hindustan Times has exclusive access to the master plan, which is awaiting the civic body’s approval. The proposal will be tabled before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Group Leaders panel next week.

On the blueprint – prepared by Altamount Road Area Citizens Committee and architect Ratan J. Batliboi — the 1.2 km-stretch has four-feet wide sidewalks, buildings with similar-coloured compound walls and plants, themed corners and a clock tower.

“We wanted the job to be aesthetically perfect and hence have done so much research before placing the project in front of the BMC,” said Shirish Shah, conveyor of the plan.

Three years ago, when the plan was finalised, the project cost was Rs 5 crore, but it has escalated since then. Implementing the plan will take at least another two years after the civic body’s clearance.