‘Freedom Trail’ project nears completion, to be finished by January 2025: BMC

The pathway will highlight several landmarks crucial to India’s independence movement, including the modest hall on Tejpal Road where the Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume in 1885, and the August Kranti Maidan, where Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India movement.

Initiated in 2022 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, the project aims to enhance the footpath with basalt stones while preserving the historical significance of the area.

The 2-km stretch includes Laburnum Road, home to the Mani Bhavan where Gandhi resided, and Tejpal Road, culminating at Girgaum Chowpatty, which was renamed Swarajya Bhoomi in 2015 to honor Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, whose last rites were performed there.

With a budget of Rs 16 crore, the BMC’s project also features a red lakha stone strip to highlight important landmarks along the trail.

According to BMC officials, 80 per cent of the pedestrianisation work is complete.

The remaining stretch between Wilson College and Swarajya Bhoomi is expected to be finished by January 2025.

A senior civic official told The Indian Express, “We have completed 80 per cent of the work, including the path from August Kranti Maidan to Wilson College and internal roads like Laburnum Road. After the monsoon, we will resume work on the final stretch between the college and Swarajya Bhoomi. The path will be laid with basalt stones to maintain a heritage feel. We are also installing guiding tiles to make the pathway accessible to disabled individuals.”

To mark the trail, a red lakha stone line will be laid from August Kranti Maidan to Swarajya Bhoomi, with the project’s name and key landmarks highlighted.

An official added, “The red line will run from the center of August Kranti Maidan to Swarajya Bhoomi. Once weather conditions improve, we will resume work and aim to finish by the end of the year. There are some remaining areas to complete due to building gates and other obstacles.”

Initially, the project planned to use QR codes to highlight landmarks, but this has been replaced by the D Ward’s ‘Legacy Plaque’ project, which will install QR code plaques at 100 culturally and historically significant locations in the ward.

“The project has experienced some delays since the footpaths are flanked by buildings on both sides. With the plinth of neighbouring societies or other walls coming in the way, we have faced minor hiccups. But we are aiming to complete the final work by January 2025,” an official said.

The BMC has already completed the revamping of August Kranti Maidan, which was inaugurated last August.