Shah Rukh Khan’s residence in Bandra is probably one of the most famous and visited spots in the city. This time the actor’s bungalow has come into controversy due to an elevated ramp that has been built outside ‘Mannat’ that according to the residents is blocking the pedestrian street.
The local residents have filed a complaint with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation against a ramp raised on public property outside superstar’s bungalow
The municipal body promises to conduct an inquiry after the Watchdog Foundation wrote to them asking for public access to a road next to Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow, Mannat
The Watchdog Foundation has sent a fresh complaint to municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte regarding no public access to a road next to Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow, Mannat. The road next to King Khan’s bungalow is a shorter route to Mount Mary Church, but it has been closed since the last three years.
It may be pointed out that SRK’s bungalow is located near to the Mount Mary Church where thousands of pilgrims flock during the annual Bandra fair. The road located between SRK’s home and the church has apparently been blocked for SRK’s safety and this is said to have caused a nuisance to pilgrims. Last year after some agitation, the road was opened on the third day of the annual Bandra fair, but soon after, it was closed again.
Nicholas Almeida, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation says, `We have recently written to the CM and the BMC commissioner. The commissioner has asked for a fresh inquiry and a report will be submitted to him. With the road being closed, a lot of people face problems as it is a short cut. Also, it is illegal to just stop people from taking that route. The road was opened to the public last year and at that time, we were assured that it will be open permanently. But yet again, it has been closed.’
He adds that SRK’s security has been stopping people from taking that road. `Security guards deployed at Mannat don’t allow people to take the short cut to the church. His vanity van is also parked on the ramp,` he says.
Meanwhile, a source close to the actor says, `SRK’s vanity van is parked on a property which belongs to Mannat and it is never parked on the road. The actor has nothing to do with it. In fact, the ramp was created earlier on, even before SRK purchased the bungalow.` Another source says, `It was the decision of the cops to close the road next to Mannat, as the road is quite narrow and they wished to avoid calamities during the Bandra Fair.`
The added pressure from the locals has forced BMC to take action. Prashant Sapkale, assistant municipal commissioner of H-West Ward said,”I will send my team of engineers to inspect the site and take necessary action. We will have to see if permissions have been granted to construct any structure or ramp on the spot.”
As for now, we’ll just have to wait and watch as to what action will BMC take against the ramp outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat.
By Shamim Noorani
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