Bombay Gymkhana serves notice to BMC over road-widening plan

The BMC has received a legal notice from the gymkhana, which states that due procedure of law was not followed before the civic body implemented its plan to widen the Hazarimal Somani Marg

The ongoing face-off between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the elite Bombay Gymkhana is now likely to be fought in the high court.

The gymkhana was not consulted even while the proposal to widen the road was forwarded to the collector. (HT File Photo)

The BMC has received a legal notice from the gymkhana, which states that due procedure of law was not followed before the civic body implemented its plan to widen the Hazarimal Somani Marg — the road outside the gymkhana. It states that the road will encroach upon gymkhana-owned land if the plan is implemented.

This means that the civic body’s plan to widen the crucial road connecting CST to MG road, and to also make it more pedestrian-friendly, could now face a major setback.

Sources in the civic body told HT that the notice states that the BMC has specified Hazarimal Somani Marg as a Development Plan (DP) road without taking into consideration the gymkhana’s opinion.

The gymkhana was not consulted even while the proposal to widen the road was forwarded to the collector. The proposal is now pending with the state. Sources said the notice tells the BMC not to carry out construction on the strip of land, used for parking.

Officials said a petition was filed and is likely to be heard on Monday. Despite repeated attempts to reach Darius Udwadia, gymkhana president, he was unavailable for comment.

A ward’s assistant municipal commissioner, Kiran Dighavkar, confirmed that the BMC received the notice but did not wish to comment.

Read

BMC to float fresh tenders for road -widening with Gymkhana land

Maharashtra govt joins BMC-Gymkhana tussle, says CST footpath is theirs

Bombay Gymkhana: CEO’s bungalow not a heritage structure, says BMC