As part of tactical town planning, the BMC has planned to construct a ‘Sister City Square’ in Kalanagar, Bandra West to honor its connection to 15 sister cities across the world. A call for tenders was launched on Friday. This project will serve as a tourist destination for domestic and international tourists, the BMC believes.

Mumbai has 15 sister cities, including Stuttgart, Berlin (Germany), Los Angeles (USA), St. Petersburg (Russia), Yokohama (Japan), Honolulu (Hawaii), New York, Zagreb (Croatia), Barcelona (Spain ), Busan (South Korea), Port of Odessa (Ukraine), Jakarta (Indonesia), Nadi (Fiji) Antananarivo (Madagascar) and Shanghai (China). Mumbai has maintained a good relationship with them through cultural ties, business growth, knowledge sharing and signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).

As part of the relationship, the BMC planned the Sister City Square at Kalanagar Junctions, adjoining a service road to the Mhada building. According to the design projects of the plan, as well as landscaping and beautification, the square would have flags of all countries with sister cities.

There will also be an information desk for each city and a help desk for students or tourists coming from those cities. The project would also improve traffic flow at the junction, a BMC official said.

The project is the brainchild of the tourism minister and guardian of Mumbai’s suburbs, Aaditya Thackeray. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1.63 crore; it should be completed in six months. The project would be funded by the District Planning Committee’s funds for the improvement of traffic islands and public spaces.

Kiran Digghavkar, Deputy City Commissioner of G-North Ward (Civic Planning Department), and also in charge of implementing tactical urban planning, said the project would raise awareness of the international ties Mumbai has and is considered as a space for cultural and social reinforcement. relations with international students and citizens of Mumbai. He said, “The idea is to create a space where domestic and foreign tourists can visit, hang out and interact with their peers.

Posted: Friday, April 22, 2022, 11:24 p.m. IST