Twenty Mumbai municipal markets may soon be up for sale

Mumbai: Three years ago, the Shiv Sena-led municipal corporation approved the redevelopment of the heritage Crawford market by a private developer. There was a public outcry, with citizens’ outfits taking to the streets in protest against the “sell-out”.

Promptly, plans to let private developers redevelop markets were shelved. But that hibernation phase seems to be over now. The market redevelopment agenda has come to the fore again. And this time, around 20 municipal markets are up for grabs.

On Thursday, March 25, the Sena-led improvements committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will discuss the revised policy guidelines laid down for private redevelopment of municipal markets. The same day, proposals of redevelopment of three municipal markets — the Hirachand Desai and Pant Nagar municipal markets, both at Ghatkopar, and Major Hemant Manjrekar municipal market, at Sion Koliwada will also be discussed.