BMC’s plan to build an extension building to the Museum has turned into a controversy
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to build an extension building in the Bhau Daji Lad museum in Byculla has turned into a controversy. After the civic administration took a call to construct a parking lot on the old playground, the residents of the area have united to fight for their rights.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the opposition party of the cash rich BMC has strongly opposed this proposal of the BMC. Samita Naik, MNS corporator from Byculla, in order to hear the voice of the people had set up a ballot box for three days last week - 'Janmat Chahcani' (referendum) - near Byculla zoo, and people started casting their votes between 10 am to 8 pm from Saturday till Monday.
Naik said, “The ballot paper contained the voter's name, address and contact number, which clearly stated that it has been done without any force. The options were: 'I want a playground in the Rani baug maidan' and 'Parking facility for vehicles of Bajaj Trust'.”
Sandeep Deshpande, group leader of the BMC, yesterday counted the votes in the BMC headquarters and said, “Residents of Byculla and Mazgaon have come forward for their rights and 6,883 people have cast their votes which says that the playground should stay, two people want BMC to construct the parking lot and four people have cast the NOTA vote.”
He further added, “We have submitted the entire voting details to deputy municipal commissioner of the BMC, Sudhir Naik who has assured us that a discussion with civic chief Sitaram Kunte will be held soon.”
Talking about the further plan of action of the MNS along with the residents Deshpande explained, “We have kept all options open if the civic body does not think of an alternative regarding this issue, there are possibilities we may start with dharnas.”
The residents of Byculla and Mazgaon said, “We want the civic authority to include the playground in the new development plan (DP) which is in the process of getting drafted. Social gatherings, school annual festivals, sports events are conducted in this ground and the BMC is snatching away the happiness of the children who play there daily. If everything is given to the trust what will happen to the common man?”
Naik added, “While making the new wing, a part of the Rani baug and the open ground next to the baug will be used. This part of the baug has a security cabin which will be removed and a cafeteria will be made, and the ground will be used for car parking. This ground is the only open space in Byculla and that too will go. Also, isn't the security cell supposed to be right next to the gate? How can they move it?”
The new extension
The extension of the museum structure will house a new museum, exhibition hall, interpretation centre, art gallery, library, conference hall and a cafe.
Steven Holl Architects, a New York-based company, will design the building, which will be constructed on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
The new wing to the city's oldest museum is expected to be ready by 2018 and a sum of Rs 200 crore will be spent on its construction. The structure will be spread over nearly 1,10,000 sq ft. The design process took almost a year after an international competition to shortlist architects was launched in December 2013.
The museum building came up at its current site in 1872 as the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 1975, it was named after Bhau Daji Lad.