œ CHAITANYA MARPAKWAR Mumbai At a time when the city is struggling to retain its community spaces, the Birla Krida Kendra, the BMCs very own sea- facing theatre facility adjoining Girgaum Chowpatty in South Mumbai is lying in the dumps for more
than a decade and its grand restoration plans still in the pipeline.
Once a major landmark and considered a premier destination in theatre circles, the facility was shut in 2000 since it had become dilapidated.
It is still awaiting its much- awaited makeover.
Replying to a query raised by NCP legislator Vidya Chavan in the Legislative Council, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the more than 70000 sq feet facility was shut way back on July 1, 2000.
” A decision was taken by the BMCs standing committee to hand over the redevelopment of the theatre to the Aditya Vikram Birla Trust ( which runs the Kendra) on January 17, 2001.
” The trust was to bear the cost of redevelopment but had to agree to the terms and conditions prescribed by the BMC. But since the draft redevelopment plan did not comply with the BMCs guidelines, the plan was scrapped,” Chavan said in a written reply.
Since the trust had not agreed to redevelop the facility according to the civic bodys terms, after sitting on the redevelopment plan for almost six years, the BMC in 2007, decided to redevelop the facility on its own and appointed a consultant in 2008.
” The consultant submitted several draft plans to the BMC. The current plan that the consultant has suggested is based on a Build- Operate- Transfer ( BOT) and the BMC is likely to call for the latest plan soon,” Chavan said.
Sources pointed out that the restored theatre would be smaller, since space will also be kept aside for a proposed seawater aquarium on the same plot.
The restoration project is expected to cost anything between Rs 50- 100 crore.
The Kendra, located right opposite Charni Road railway station on the prime Marine Drive stretch housed a drama theatre, multipurpose halls and a restaurant.
While the facility is shut, the restaurant continues to do brisk business. Built in the 1960s by Sri Rameshwardasji Birla, it was renovated once in 1972.
Famous plays such as Touch of Brightness, Blythe Spirit in English, Paresh Rawals Sathwaro, Nokihimati Ne Nokha Malavi, Saav Re Adhuru Maru Aaykhu in Gujarati and Zulwa and Ranangan in Marathi were staged there.
