Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to develop an underground market in Mumbai, on the lines of Delhi’s Palika Bazaar. According to reports, BMC officials recently visited Delhi’s popular underground market to get an idea of the logistics involved. They are likely to submit their report to the state government soon.
With the hawker policy not in place, roads and footpaths in the city have been encroached on. To resolve the issue, Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 proposed shopping hubs below open public spaces and lands reserved for playgrounds and parks in the city. Following the directives, civic officials of the market and garden department visited Palika Bazaar in Delhi on January 15.
The Bazaar is located between the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place in Delhi. It has 398 shops selling a diverse range of electronic items and clothing. The market is estimated to have around 15,000 people within its confines at any given time and attracts many foreign tourists. The underground market is spread over 20,000 sq metres and has a large garden over it. There are seven gates for entry and exit to the market.
The Bazaar is connected to major roads and Rajiv Chowk Metro railway station. The civic authorities have also instructed the ward officials of 24 administrative wards to identify open spaces such as playgrounds or gardens below which underground bazaars can be set up. The place closer to railway stations where there is high footfall, will be given priority, said civic sources.
