Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will demolish a portion of the security wall of Amitabh Bachchan's 'Pratiksha' bungalow as a part of the road widening process. Earlier in 2017, the BMC had issued a notice to the actor citing that an alleged illegal construction had obstructed the road widening work taken up to ease the traffic congestion in Mumbai's posh Juhu area. The BMC says that the road cannot be widened unless a portion of the security wall surrounding the bungalow is taken down.
Since 2017, the BMC has been trying to solve the issue and a letter was also sent to the District Collector of Mumbai Suburbs. Following which a survey was carried out in February 2021 and it was decided that the work related to road widening would be taken up as soon as the information regarding the same is received from the District Collector's office. In particular, the actor himself had informed the BMC in prior that he had no issues in the road widening.
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The lane leading from 'Pratiksha' towards ISKCON temple is a troublesome route for commuters. Properties have been taken over to widen Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg, connecting Chandan Cinema area to Link Road. Reports say that the stretch in front of 'Pratiksha' is only left to be demolished, adding that the BMC had demolished a building adjoining 'Pratiksha', but Bachchan's building was left untouched, irking local residents and commuters.
However, as the municipality needed space at Amitabh Bachchan's Pratiksha bungalow & Satyamurthy Residency for widening the Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg, a notice was sent to both of them. Upon receiving the notice, KV Satyamurthy, the owner of Satyamurthy Residency rushed to the court. However, after the High Court refused to issue a stay order, the BMC took control of the premises of Satyamurti Residency. While, Amitabh Bachchan had already agreed to give some space for the road widening.
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On July 15, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had put up banners that read 'Big B shows big heart' outside the Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan's residence in Juhu, Mumbai. The Sena members have been demanding demolition of Bachchan's compound wall to expand road in the area which is often hit by traffic bottlenecks. One of the MNS workers said that civil survey officials have promised them that demarcation points would be identified soon and the issue will be resolved in eight days.
