After scrapping the plan to construct an underground hawker plaza beneath Ganpatrao Ambre Garden in Andheri West, the BMC has now identified a new location at the existing Andheri Market (Dattaji Salvi Mandai).
This spot is considered a better option due to its proximity to Swami Vivekanand (SV) Road and the station. In a recent review meeting, the municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani directed the officials of the market and K-West ward to submit a formal proposal for the revised location.
In February, the BMC appointed a consultant to design a two-level hawking plaza and an underground parking space at Ganpatrao Ambre Garden.
The plan aimed to relocate hawkers from high-footfall areas like Andheri Station to decongest the station area and make it more pedestrian-friendly.
However, the location faced opposition from local residents, and it was also found that it might not be feasible in attracting the crowd. As a result, the project was put on hold, and a meeting was convened to decide the way forward.
BMC Chief Gagrani reviewed the project on Monday, with the meeting attended by officials from the market and K West ward, as well as local MLA Ameet Satam.
“The BMC’s Dattaji Salvi Market is in need of redevelopment, and this location could be developed into a hawkers’ plaza, making it a feasible option due to its proximity to the station. The site can accommodate up to 700 hawkers, which will help decongest the railway station area by relocating hawkers from the crowded space,” said civic official.
The market department along with K West ward will prepare a formal proposal for the revised location and submit it to municipal commissioner for approval.
Inspired by the success of Delhi’s Palika Bazaar at Connaught Place, the BMC envisioned creating markets under open grounds, parks, and gardens, located near high-traffic areas like railway and metro stations.
In January 2024, officials from the BMC’s market department visited Delhi’s Palika Bazaar for a site survey. Following this, Mumbai’s former guardian ministers, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Deepak Kesarkar had directed all 25 administrative wards to identify potential sites for the establishment of similar markets.
