More than a dozen food stalls in the heart of the city will be relocated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to make way for its upcoming town hall project.
As per reports, 12 stalls, located next to Canon Pav Bhaji and opposite the CST subway exit, have been served notices informing them of their temporary displacement until the completion of the five-storey town hall.
The proposed town hall, designed with a glass dome offering panoramic views of heritage landmarks, is intended to become a hub for citizen-government interaction and public meetings.
Once completed, this will be the city’s second town hall after the historic Asiatic Library.
The project, which will replace BMC’s 80-year-old sports complex, is estimated to cost INR 33.66 crore.
In the notices, which were sent last month, they were asked to submit license documents, business registration and other evidence.
According to sources, an official from BMC’s A Ward has offered stall owners two options: either shift to alternative locations provided by the civic body or shut shop until the construction is complete. However, the relocation sites are yet to be finalised.
Assistant Commissioner of Ward A Jaideep More confirmed this development. He explained that, "We have decided to temporarily relocate these stalls during the construction of the proposed town hall. Currently, verification of documents is going on. Either an alternative place will be found or the business will have to remain closed until the construction is completed," he said.
Among those affected are several stalls that have become city landmarks, including the famous Kalakhata Sarbat stall. Records show some stalls began trading even before Independence and have become an integral part of Mumbai’s urban fabric.
The location also carries strategic significance, with one exit of the upcoming underground Metro 3’s Azad Maidan station opening directly opposite these stalls.
Meanwhile, the old sports complex, which was available for BMC employees till now, is likely to be shifted to a new modern sports complex near Mahalaxmi Racecourse. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the employees.