Citizens’ group cements heritage initiative

Based on a masterplan chalked out by the Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) and NGO Bombay First, the association is planning to space the various suggestions in the report into phases. “To begin with, I want to make changes that are visible so people will realise that improvments are in the realm of possiblity. We just have to make a start,” says Bhupendra Chovatia, Honorary General Secretary of BEWA who already has a team of junior architects working on survey drawings for beautification in the area that was laid out by British architect George Wittet between 1908 and 1914.

By March, BEWA plans to create a model of their plans so that owners of buildings in the area, residents and office-goers can see for themselves, in miniature, the Ballard Estate BEWA envisages.

Comprising of 35 memebers, funds for BEWA’s activities come in from the joining and annual subscription fees each member pays. “In the first phase,” reveals Chovatia, “we will create a uniform footpath, a far cry from the heterogenity of the paving that exists today.” Also on the anvil are plans to set up sign boards so that those who pass through the area can tune in to heritage of the place. “Most pedestrians are unaware of the history of Ballard Estate and the association will set up signs which not only guide the passerby but also gives them a snippet of the past,” says conservationist Abha Narain Lambah who was joint project consultant with architect Rahul Mehrotra. Also mooted is the idea of setting the significance of each building on a plaque into the century-old stone as has been done on those at Kala Ghoda.

In an effort to organise the hawkers and shops better, the plan envisages the use of space that has been so far unused. Says Lambah, “The bulk of buildings have been configured around large courtyards which have unfortunately been seen so far as residual spaces.” The creation of food courts for hawkers and service courts for toilets, stationery, newspaper stalls etc has also been put forward. “We are hoping to complete this in the first phase as well,” says Chovatia.

To ensure that the hawkers cooperate, there is need for interaction between the BMC and BEWA. “We have to set up an action group to keep up the lines of communication that were opened when Municipal Commmisioner V Ranganathan was chief guest at the release of the publication in December,” explains Lambah.

The illumination of buildings is already underway to facillitate the creation of heritage trails in the area, a workable alternative to the deathly quiet that descends on Ballard Estate when office hours are over and on weekends. “People need to be sensitised to a precinct which has all the charm of business districts in London and Paris of the 1920s,” says Lambah who also believes that the evolution of street furniture befitting the architectural features of the area be set up as well.

Beyond the first phase, plans abound. As far as chances of success go, BEWA hopes for the best. Says Lambah, “The move to reorganise signage on D N Road should give our confidence a big boost…changes are possible.” Hopefully, the familiar voice of history will finally have a recognisablw whisper.