Somani Marg widening in limbo

Mumbai: The widening of the Hazarimal Somani Marg near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) remains in limbo as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has failed to procure the required land from the collector of Mumbai city. The civic officials are now hoping that the acquisition process will be expedited after the city’s Development Plan (DP 2034) is approved.

With an aim to alleviate the traffic jams and travel woes near CSMT, the BMC had decided to widen Somani Marg, which runs along the Azad Maidan to Chaphekar Chowk in Fort. It is the only nearest route available for vehicles coming from Churchgate-Nariman Point to CST and hence sees heavy traffic especially in the evening. Last year in October, the BMC had asked the collector to hand over the required land and provide all necessary clearances for the widening of Somani Marg from 50 feet to 80 feet. It had even issued a work order to M/s Bhavya Enterprises for the work, which was to be carried out from October 2016 to May this year. However, the work order lapsed due to failure in getting the land.

For the project to take place, many other prominent structures along the way will have to give up their land for road widening, including the Bombay Gymkhana, the Tribunal office and other government offices, the popular Cannon Pav Bhaji centre and the Zunka-Bhakar Kendra near CST.

Kiran Dighavkar, the A ward assistant commissioner said, “The matter is still pending with the collector’s office despite having repeated correspondence. We are now hoping that if the DP gets passed, Somani Marg will become a DP road. It will then be easier to obtain permission and acquire the land.” Sampada Metha, collector, Mumbai City, remained unavailable for comments.