Hawkers from CST to be moved to Fort within 48 hours

The BMC on September 30 presented the beautification plan for CST, as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, to the Centre

Citizens might soon find Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the only railway station from the state that has made it to the top 10 iconic locations selected under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, neat, hawker-free and beautified.

The area is proposed to be cleaned thrice a day, decorated by murals and also to be made pedestrian-friendly. (HT File)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a 48-hour notice to 36 hawkers outside CST to move to Walchand Hirachand road in Fort area. The BMC on September 30 presented the beautification plan for CST, as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, to the Centre. The area is proposed to be cleaned thrice a day, decorated by murals and also to be made pedestrian-friendly.

Along with relocating hawkers, the BMC also plans to move 38 stalls from outside the station to the lane opposite the 140-year-old Bombay Gymkhana, which is at loggerheads with the administration since August.

“We have served a notice to the hawkers. We are following the Supreme court guidelines for eviction, as currently the hawkers are in the periphery of a station and hospital,” said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner, A-ward.

Under the CST revamp plan, the BMC also plans to paint the general post office wall on St George lane, explaining the historic importance of all iconic and tourist locations. The civic body will also revamp the foot overbridge at the northern end of CST. The plan includes change of tiling of the bridge and a new paint. While the heritage panel has given nod to tiling, it is yet to decide on the colour.

The civic body plans to replace the paver blocks on the footpaths outside Hutatma chowk, Asiatic Society, Dadabhai Naroji Marg in Fort, St Thomas Cathedral and Churchgate station to cobblestone.