Kala Ghoda to become pedestrian only on weekends starting September

The civic body has already floated a tender to beautify five internal roads in the art precinct.

Starting from the 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. (File photo)

In a first for the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is slated to restrict vehicular movement in Kala Ghoda area, making the streets pedestrian-only during evenings on weekends from September onwards, said former municipal corporator from Colaba, Makarand Narwekar on Sunday. According to Narwekar, while vehicles will be barred, RFID-based vehicles will be provided for senior citizens.

On July 27, The Indian Express had reported that the BMC was seeking to gauge public response and familiarise visitors with the concept to pedestrianise the internal roads of Kala Ghoda during weekends from September. Eventually, the civic body seeks to permanently restrict vehicles in the zone.

The civic body has already floated a tender to beautify five internal roads in the art precinct and pave them with cobblestones in a bid to make the Kala Ghoda pathways “pedestrian-only”. According to officials, civil work on the beautification project is slated to commence after monsoon withdrawal.

Confirming the development, former corporator Narwekar on Sunday said, “With new pavements, paintings and lights, we are designating spaces with benches where people can relax and tables where they can enjoy their food from the nearby restaurants. Enough parking space will also be provided for visitors in nearby areas.”

Starting from the 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 senior citizens and people of special needs, there will be RFID based vehicle access. It will also have a speed limit of not more than 20 km/hr in the restricted area,” he added.

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