Smart life dream at swanky Shalimar

NASHIK: A mini-amphitheatre, a low-cost food stall, disciplined autorickshaw drivers and smooth traffic might soon replace the usual chaos at the busy Shalimar Circle if the developers of the island are able to translate their vision into reality.
The Nashik chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (CREDAI) is developing around 37 islands and road dividers in the city and Shalimar Circle is a part of the initiative.The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and CREDAI had in 2012 decided to develop the islands and road dividers. CREDAI was entrusted with the task of their maintenance as part of the corporate social responsibility. Besides, lack of manpower and funds also prompted the civic body to take this decision.
The builders had submitted a list of islands that they wanted to develop and got the approval of the standing committee in February 2013. The actual construction work, however, began once the drawings submitted by the builders were modified and approved by the NMC. From April this year, five islands and road dividers are under construction.
The beautification of Shailmar Circle in the heart of the city will set a trend of smart living in the city with its mini-amphitheatre, low-cost food and proper flow of traffic. Cultural programmes and street plays will be performed in the amphitheatre that is being developed by Khabiya Group. The entire traffic will be streamlined, the benefit of which can be experienced on roads connecting the Shalimar Circle that is being developed on an 8,000-sq m space.
"For the Shalimar Circle project, we have taken a cue from the Juhu Vile Parle Development Scheme that we have constructed in Mumbai. In Nashik, we will have the amphitheatre inside the island and there can be musical performances, street plays and folk arts as well. One gets to see such features in American cities," said Pravin Khabiya of the Khabiya Group.
"The existing statue of Indira Gandhi will not be razed. Tree plantation and conservation, landscaping, road dividers, zebra crossing, painting and electrification will also be done. We will beautify the road from Ambedkar statue to Shalimar Circle, Ganjamal Signal to Shalimar Cricle and from Nehru Garden to Shalimar," he added.
But what might be of maximum relief for the otherwise hassled commuters is the developer's plan to discipline parking of autorickshaws at the circle. There are separate stands for autorickshaws plying towards three places of the city. "We will have a token system for the autorickshaws. An autorickshaw will be allowed to leave the stand only after all its seats are occupied. We have spoken to the autorickshaw drivers and hope to get their cooperation. We are also planning a stand for 50 bicycles, the service for which will be of free of cost," Khabiya said.
He added that low-cost puri-bhaji will be available through Jain Social Platinum Group. "A plate will cost only Rs 5. We will ask people to pay for those who cannot pay Rs 5. We will do this under Maharaj Bhirmani, who has a puri-bhaji centre at Deolali. On the lines of a facility near Mantralaya in Mumbai, we will make available packaged water on two sides of the island," Khabiya said.
The bhoomipujan of Shalimar Circle will be held on Friday island and the island is expected to be completed within 3-4 months. The group has entered a 10-year agreement with the NMC for maintaining the island.