MUMBAI, Jan 29: The beautification of four main arterial roads undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received a setback, with few sponsors coming forward to take part in the drive. The corporation has plans to beautify four roads - Savarkar Marg, Senapati Bapat, Sion-Byculla and Gokhale Road. However, the road department officials informed that they are yet to receive a favourable response for sponsorship.The officials informed that the administration had received a few proposals from the sponsors but refused to divulge their names and other details, saying it was too soon now. A senior department official informed Express Newsline that the number of proposals received by the administration was below their expectations, and admitted that the intensity of the drive would definitely slow down. Deputy Municipal Commissioner A N Dube said, "The country's present economic scenario seems to have had its effect on this drive as well, yet, we will continue with it.'' The officialadded, "We thought a lot of companies would come forward for sponsorship as the stretch of road beautified by the sponsor will be available to them for advertising in their own way. Considering the benefits they will get, the response isn't heartening."
Cultural Affairs Minister Pramod Navalkar informed that the state government would also appeal to the sponsors through the media to come forward. But he added that the sponsors will have certain limitations.
As a model, the corporation has just completed the beautification of a 400 metre stretch of road at Prabhadevi, which cost the corporation Rs 37 lakh.
Elaborating on the nature of the project, Dube informed that the BMC's main objective was to have more greenery along the roads with proper traffic regulation.
Apart from constructing rectangular road dividers, fancy lamps were also set up between the two existing lamp posts. However, the road dividers were modified later as residents complained of inconvenience.
Navalkar said that the dividerwidth was decreased, and added, "We don't
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
