'JUHU BEACH BEAUTIFICATION' DRAWS PROTEST
THE ASIAN AGE (MAY 2002)
By Skimmy Gupta
The proposed 2 crore ‘Beautification & Restoration project’ of Juhu Beach to be implemented by MHADA is confronting strong protest.The reason being the members of the Juhu Beach Khadye Paye Vikreta Sahkari Society (JKPVSS) do not agree to the original plan of architect P.K Das of relocating of 42 licenced food stalls.
The project has begun partly and will be completed in about an year.The Proposed Juhu Beach Redevelopment Trust comprising of Collector,Adll.BMC Comissioner,BMC Ward officer ,National Airports Authority,Juhu Beach Hawkers Association,Association of Juhu Hotels,,local resident associations has been formed to realize the project through integrated approach .
According to this P.K Das’s plan,the main thrust is to make sea visible from the main road at the beach.For this purpose,all the 42 licensed food stalls on main beach will be relocated in a proposed food court opposite Shivaji Statue,near Palm Grove hotel..The relocated food stalls will be provided with lightining,sanitation,sewage,garbage disposal etc.The cleared area of the beach repaved and landscaped and developed into an open space sandy area for visitors relaxation with 30-40 palm trees and designer furniture.Public conveniences (Toilets ,public kiosks,public telephones),signages,information booths,comfortable benches for senior citizens and enhanced lightning will be added.
The beautification plan will make sure all the illegal encroachments are also cleared completely .Apart from the main chowpatty entrance,the other 8 lanes providing access to the beach including the Centaur hotel lane and Holiday Inn lane will be redeveloped..Two large car parking lots : one adjacent to Shiv Sagar Restaurant and the other opp Juhu Centaur Hotel to accommodate approx has been proposed .Also a planned drop off bay separately for autos,taxis & cars is proposed .
But JBKPVSS feel the plan is too tough and they have their own beautification plan which also solves the visibility of the sea issue and other basic amenities with no need to shift the stalls.According to the society plan ,the 42 food stalls will be rebuilt on the same area on the main beach but in a more planned manner.The stalls will be built in two rows with one row at an elevated level with more spacing between adjoining stalls.This will enhance the visibility of the sea.Also the plan assures that the new built stalls will be same in size,in beautiful hut shaped and stalls’ oversized boards will be reduced .This will result in more open space for visitors to roam freely.Futher tree plantations,toilets,information booths,public utilities is also on the agenda.
Ganesh Thevar,President ,JKPVSS told Mumbai Age “We are not against beautification but what is needed is proper planning and implementation.But it cannot be done at the cost of our livelihood.the 40 od licenses stalls are on the beach since 50s & 60s.Over the years the owners have established their businesses with lot of struggle .How can we let our stalls get uprooted and relocated in one corner of the beach.there we are bound to lose our identity ,business,attraction and sales.Huhu beach can be beautified without shifting these stalls .Shifting of stalls is not at all practical and will not be approved by us.e also have our own plan and further talks are going on with various concerned authorities and also with Kripashankerji,state home minister over this issue..All the stall owners are ready to shell out sufficient money to realize our plan.One thing is for sure ,we will not shift,other than this we are ready.”
D.Kadam,a chaat stall owner says “My father started this stall 35 years back anmd lately due to emergence of fast food ,our sales have been affected.But somehow we make our ends meet and feed our big family.Shifting will seriously affect our business. The thought of shifting sends jitters down the spine.”
Another food stall owner at the beach on condition of anonymity says “we will stage a strong protest if needed .Rather than relocating our licensed stalls ,it is better MHADA plan concentrate on clearing illegal encroachments,swing rides and numerous hawkers on the beach.That will beautify the beach a lot.”
P.K Das was not available for comments as he was out of town.But H.Goel from P.K Associates said “We have not heard of any such agitation .As already the beautification work has commenced in the off lanes of Birla Lane and Juhu Centaur lane.Yes,the work has not started yet on the main beach.It might be that some food stall owners are having internal problems with shifting.As of now,we are not aware of any such protests.”
Ramdas Jharkhe,Tahisildar ,Andheri told Mumbai Age “The said land belongs partly to airport authority and partly to BMC.I paid a visit to Juhu beach yesterday and spend sufficient time with Juhu society members and got a clear picture.I spoke to the chairman of Juhu Beach Society and the food stall owners have refused to shift.Nobody can force them to shift.If shifted,they should be given their choice of place to reach a mutual settlement. “
After repeated calls,The state home minister ,Kripashanker was not available for comments.
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By Skimmy Gupta
The proposed 2 crore ‘Beautification & Restoration project’ of Juhu Beach to be implemented by MHADA is confronting strong protest.The reason being the members of the Juhu Beach Khadye Paye Vikreta Sahkari Society (JKPVSS) do not agree to the original plan of architect P.K Das of relocating of 42 licenced food stalls.
The project has begun partly and will be completed in about an year.The Proposed Juhu Beach Redevelopment Trust comprising of Collector,Adll.BMC Comissioner,BMC Ward officer ,National Airports Authority,Juhu Beach Hawkers Association,Association of Juhu Hotels,,local resident associations has been formed to realize the project through integrated approach .
According to this P.K Das’s plan,the main thrust is to make sea visible from the main road at the beach.For this purpose,all the 42 licensed food stalls on main beach will be relocated in a proposed food court opposite Shivaji Statue,near Palm Grove hotel..The relocated food stalls will be provided with lightining,sanitation,sewage,garbage disposal etc.The cleared area of the beach repaved and landscaped and developed into an open space sandy area for visitors relaxation with 30-40 palm trees and designer furniture.Public conveniences (Toilets ,public kiosks,public telephones),signages,information booths,comfortable benches for senior citizens and enhanced lightning will be added.
The beautification plan will make sure all the illegal encroachments are also cleared completely .Apart from the main chowpatty entrance,the other 8 lanes providing access to the beach including the Centaur hotel lane and Holiday Inn lane will be redeveloped..Two large car parking lots : one adjacent to Shiv Sagar Restaurant and the other opp Juhu Centaur Hotel to accommodate approx has been proposed .Also a planned drop off bay separately for autos,taxis & cars is proposed .
But JBKPVSS feel the plan is too tough and they have their own beautification plan which also solves the visibility of the sea issue and other basic amenities with no need to shift the stalls.According to the society plan ,the 42 food stalls will be rebuilt on the same area on the main beach but in a more planned manner.The stalls will be built in two rows with one row at an elevated level with more spacing between adjoining stalls.This will enhance the visibility of the sea.Also the plan assures that the new built stalls will be same in size,in beautiful hut shaped and stalls’ oversized boards will be reduced .This will result in more open space for visitors to roam freely.Futher tree plantations,toilets,information booths,public utilities is also on the agenda.
Ganesh Thevar,President ,JKPVSS told Mumbai Age “We are not against beautification but what is needed is proper planning and implementation.But it cannot be done at the cost of our livelihood.the 40 od licenses stalls are on the beach since 50s & 60s.Over the years the owners have established their businesses with lot of struggle .How can we let our stalls get uprooted and relocated in one corner of the beach.there we are bound to lose our identity ,business,attraction and sales.Huhu beach can be beautified without shifting these stalls .Shifting of stalls is not at all practical and will not be approved by us.e also have our own plan and further talks are going on with various concerned authorities and also with Kripashankerji,state home minister over this issue..All the stall owners are ready to shell out sufficient money to realize our plan.One thing is for sure ,we will not shift,other than this we are ready.”
D.Kadam,a chaat stall owner says “My father started this stall 35 years back anmd lately due to emergence of fast food ,our sales have been affected.But somehow we make our ends meet and feed our big family.Shifting will seriously affect our business. The thought of shifting sends jitters down the spine.”
Another food stall owner at the beach on condition of anonymity says “we will stage a strong protest if needed .Rather than relocating our licensed stalls ,it is better MHADA plan concentrate on clearing illegal encroachments,swing rides and numerous hawkers on the beach.That will beautify the beach a lot.”
P.K Das was not available for comments as he was out of town.But H.Goel from P.K Associates said “We have not heard of any such agitation .As already the beautification work has commenced in the off lanes of Birla Lane and Juhu Centaur lane.Yes,the work has not started yet on the main beach.It might be that some food stall owners are having internal problems with shifting.As of now,we are not aware of any such protests.”
Ramdas Jharkhe,Tahisildar ,Andheri told Mumbai Age “The said land belongs partly to airport authority and partly to BMC.I paid a visit to Juhu beach yesterday and spend sufficient time with Juhu society members and got a clear picture.I spoke to the chairman of Juhu Beach Society and the food stall owners have refused to shift.Nobody can force them to shift.If shifted,they should be given their choice of place to reach a mutual settlement. “
After repeated calls,The state home minister ,Kripashanker was not available for comments.
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 18, 2008
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