One of the prime landmark of the island city – a tourist attraction and world's largest open-air laundromat – the Dhobi Ghat area of Mahalaxmi is under the shadow of losing its heritage status.
The area with 731 wash pens and flogging stones, which was constructed by the British administration, has come under the threat of redevelopment, with citizen activists and even corporators alleging foul play by officials at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The issue of Dhobi Ghat was voiced on Wednesday evening at the Standing Committee meeting at the BMC head office in CST. Corporators pointed out that the redevelopment plan of the 28,455 sq mtr plot was swiftly passed as the heritage status of the area was deliberately not mentioned in the Annexure II.
Talking with iamin, corporator Manoj Kotak of BJP, said that the redevelopment plan, if passed, will not only affect the washermen, but also 1,500 families living in the area. "While preparing Annexure II, BMC officials deliberately did not mention Dhobi Ghat's heritage status. Action should be taken against concerned civic officials," Kotak said. He added that, Dhobi Ghat residents have also claimed that they have been ignored in the redevelopment project, while other slum dwellers have been given priority.
According to activist Dilip More, the redevelopment plan will have a huge impact on the washermen and their families. "Only 7,725 sq.mtr of the Dhobi Ghat is left, as most of the areas has been encroached by slums. Dhobis will lose their livelihoods and their families will be without roof, if this is approved," he said.
Meanwhile, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta remained unavailable to comment.
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