In order to attract foreign tourists in Malabar, Grant Road and Walkeshwar areas in South Mumbai, the D ward of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has undertaken the development of ten spots in the ward. These spots will be developed across a single stretch such that they can be used as an Arts and Culture Centre.
Though the spot will be a small one, historic references are likely to make the visit worth the tourists' time, claims Vishwas Mote, assistant commissioner of D ward, BMC.
The BMC has begun developing a garden at the Haji Ali junction and has christened it as #Haji Ali. "We will also develop an art and culture centre on an area of nearly 300 square feet where people can sit and exchange their views on music or even play music," said Mote. The garden will open on Tuesday.
Like #Haji Ali, the ward will develop Kennedy Lamp, Girgaum Chowpatty Bhel Plaza, Girgaum Chowpatty Bandstand, Navalkar Gallery, Tata Garden, Tardeo Garden, Vivek Singh Lane and opposite Jaslok Hospital.
The area houses a number of historical monuments and places which attract visitors, especially foreign tourists. Mani Bhawan Mani, which is situated at Laburnum Road in the Gamdevi precinct of south Mumbai, was the focal point of Mahatma Gandhi's political activism in the city between 1917-1943. Mote said around 500 people visit here every day, of which 300 are foreigners. "If we develop some other places in the ward, they will have more places," said Mote.
It is said that the foundation of the Quit India movement was laid after a series of events in the first half of August 1942. These events are said to have been rooted in less than half-a-kilometre area in south Mumbai, on the streets connecting the Grant Road station to Kemp Corners.
The BMC has planned to tie up with private and government tour operators to conduct heritage walks in the ward. "We will develop the path with giving a new look to the footpath and will add a number of tourists spot in the ward in a couple of months," added Mote.
