Mumbai: Bandra, Khar may soon get dedicated zones for pubs, lounges

14th Road at Khar has a host of commerical establishments including the pub Monkey Bar PicsSatej ShindeThe oneupmanship between the ruling allies isnrsquot likely to end anytime soon After criticising Shiv Senarsquos proposal for nightlife in the city BJP Mumbai chief and Bandra legislator Ashish Shelar has come up with an idea of having restaurants pubs and lounges in the upmarket western suburbs of Khar and Bandra mdash in dedicated commercial zonesTavaa restaurant on Turner Road in BandraThe state government has proposed commercial zones to be created in areas in and around the two tony areas and has even sent a letter regarding this to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMCAlso Read Mumbai BJP counters Shiv Senas nightlife plan with night market planShelar has proposed dedicated commercial zones at Turner Road Waterfield Road and road numbers 12 13 and 14 in Khar all of which he said should be included in the DP of 2034Commercially speakingldquoI have submitted a proposal to the BMC commissioner for having dedicated commercial zones where restaurants and pubs can come up in the DP of 2034 At present such establishments are causing problems as they are within residential areasrdquo Shelar told middayAs per the proposal the pubs and restaurants should be concentrated in these locations so that the spots can be developed into commercial hubs The space given to them too can be controlled preventing illegal extensions it addedAt present several pubs and lounge bars have carried out illegal extensions by taking over footpaths and other public areas and setting up smoking zones complete with chairs and tablesldquoWe have been constantly monitoring restaurants and pubs in our ward any illegal extension if found is demolishedrdquo said Sharad Ughade assistant municipal commissioner of Hwest wardPoll playThis is apparently BJPrsquos answer to Senarsquos 24x7 nightlife idea The former has said that a dedicated zone would have everything and would not affect residentsrsquo peace all through the night which is what the problem is currently with residential areas left chocabloc with cars and crowd till late nightSlamming Senarsquos rooftop parties and 24hour bazaar plans Shelar said all this would disturb citizens Itrsquos no surprise that this tugofwar is coming with the BMC elections just a few months awayWelcome proposalManaging trustee of Khar Residents Association Anandini Thakoor said ldquoIt has been our demand to have a dedicated commercial zone for restaurants and pubs and hence we welcome the proposal Such establishments have been causing disturbance in residential areas mdash the menace of traffic honking as well as people drinking outside buildings till late We had met government officials regarding this and had informed Ashish Shelar toordquoRead Story Soon rooftop restaurants in Mumbai may be a realityWhat an absurd planHowever not all are over the moon about it Resident and social activist Aftab Siddique said ldquoThese roads are very narrow and already have around 15 bars and pubs in a 2km stretch There are seven malls two educational institutions and 17 hospitals and nursing homes in this commercial hub Wherersquos the space If people are visiting bars and pubs they will require parking which is already a problem in this area There should be proper planning before taking such an absurd decisionrdquoThe BMC has claimed that it is yet to see Shelarrsquos proposal and that additions can be made to DP 2034 as itrsquos a long way to implementation