Ahead of the civic body elections scheduled early next year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has brought one of its popular beautification plans of gardens under flyovers back into focus, at Chinchpokli — a political hotspot and home to Mumbai’s old mills. The space under the Lalbaug flyover, running a span of approximately 2.5 km through Mumbai’s erstwhile mill district, is among the longest in Mumbai. It will be revived with new plantations as part of its landscaping.
The garden under the flyover was first set up in 2017, as part of the city-wide plan to revive underutilised spaces beneath flyovers. Lalbaug flyover’s then makeover was among the first in the city, and paved the way for a blueprint for the development of spaces under flyovers. The BMC had planned the beautification of the flyover after inauguration of the recreation space under the King`s Circle flyover in June 2016.
The Lalbaug flyover is now home to an art installation, manicured landscape, and a typographical sign. A senior civic official told mid-day, “This plan is like a touch-up for the landscaping decorations under the Lalbaug flyover. All shrubs, plantations, and greenery will be reinstated because they have been lost due to pollution and overuse.” Work will start within the next month.
During the BMC election fever in 2017, the civic body planned to reclaim the space under flyovers to create additional recreation spaces for Mumbaikars. Prior to 2017, spaces under flyovers were used by hawker, or were used as parking spaces or even as storage areas for abandoned vehicles.
An official told mid-day, “Right after the inauguration, the open spaces under the Lalbaug flyover were maintained as part of CSR initiatives. The locality adjoins the popular and historic Lalbaug Cha Raja, and sees a heavy footfall. Upgradation and maintenance of the work is being taken up to reinstate its recreational and pleasing elements.”
