Kala Ghoda goes ‘pedestrian only’ in evenings: What are the locals saying

Earlier this year, BMC had charted plans to beautify five internal roads in the art precinct and pave them with cobblestones in a bid to make Kala Ghoda pathways entirely “pedestrian-only”.

While the beautification work which also involves wall painting, illumination and more will commence in October, BMC is set to implement the ‘pedestrianisation’ plan on internal roads from 7 pm on Saturday.

Every weekend from now, the Kala Ghoda precinct will convert into a ‘no-vehicle zone’, enabling walkers to explore the significant art precinct, which is home to several popular eateries, boutiques, art galleries as well as iconic structures.

Starting from Rhythm House, five internal streets, including Forbes Street, Rope Walk lane, Saibaba road, Rutherfield street and B Bharucha road, have been earmarked for the project. For locals, who have rooted for the pedestrian-only plan on several occasions in the past, the civic decision has drawn much cheer.

A ward resident and president of Nariman Point Churchgate Citizen’s Association (NPCCA), Atul Kumar said, “There have been talks about implementing the plan for a long time and we are glad it’s finally happening. While the area has undergone gentrification over the past few years, Kala Ghoda precinct has its own character which should be preserved. Pedestrianisation is a key aspect of the project. It is after the execution of that work that beautification work can be taken up. It will be great to retain the area’s original character.”

However —from senior citizens’ access to possibility of financial losses—the move also raised concerns amongst stakeholders such as business owners in the precinct.

Neville Bose, restauranter who helms Malindo Cafe situated along Kala Ghoda’s Bharucha Marg, said, “A key concern pertains to deliveries from our suppliers at ad-hoc timings. Within a very compact space, internal roads house several restaurants which receive deliveries from suppliers in a small tempo. However, BMC has said they will make provisions like time slots for these vehicles to deliver.”

“Besides this, two-wheelers also play in the area with delivery riders collecting parcels from these restaurants. However, with the move being implemented only during evenings on weekends, we are yet to see what impact it will have on us,” he said.

Bose said civic plans for beautification should also pay attention to fixing sewage systems in the lanes. “The sewage system in internal lanes is very weak and the issue intensifies especially during monsoon. The plan should also look at improving the drainage system.”

Meanwhile, owners of some boutiques who cater to upscale clientele have said the move could hit their business, as several buyers prefer the convenience of parking their vehicles right next to the shops.

Furthermore, with many senior citizens frequenting the area to visit the synagogue or shops which dot the lanes, their ease of access has also drawn questions. To cater to senior citizens and people with special needs, BMC has floated the proposal of introducing RFID tag based vehicular access. As per officials, the speed of the tagged vehicles will also be capped at 20km/hr.

Welcoming the pedestrianisation plan , Brinda Miller, chairperson of Kala Ghoda Association told The Indian Express that despite initial hiccups, the move will further enhance Kala Ghoda’s beauty, making it more tourist-friendly. “This is a good experiment and we have spoken to many local shop owners who have welcomed the move. Having witnessed the concept of pedestrian-only streets in several foreign countries, we believe that pedestrian-only lanes could have a lot of positive impact, for instance reduced traffic jams internally,” added Miller.