Overview
- The Kala Ghoda Art Avenue was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, marking the opening of the precinct's first completed redevelopment phase.
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation redeveloped five heritage streets—Saibaba Marg, Rope Walk Lane, Dr V B Gandhi Marg (Forbes Street), Rutherford Street and B. Bharucha Marg—covering about 3,443 square metres and nearly 500 metres of streetscape.
- The works include a new plaza at B. Bharucha Marg, granite and basalt paving, curved pedestrian walkways, decorative lighting, outdoor seating for cafés and multiple public-art installations including four sculptures by Sir J. J. School of Art artists.
- To make the area pedestrian-friendly, the BMC has installed bollards and modern barricades, banned heavy vehicles from the precinct and announced vehicle-free hours every Saturday and Sunday from 6 pm to midnight.
- BMC officials say al fresco dining, regular art exhibitions, handicraft markets and live performances are planned as the next phase, a move that could increase local footfall, extend evening business hours for cafes and change how residents use the historic quarter.