Mumbai is planning its first underground public toilet in Kala Ghoda, with an art gallery, café and escalators among the proposed features. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty/File)Eyeing to decongest the heritage precinct of Fort, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved plans to develop Mumbai’s first ever underground toilet-cum-art gallery near Lion Gate in Kala Ghoda.The first of its kind facility will replace all the existing ground level structures, by developing two compact ground level entry blocks which will lead to 1,668 square metres underground facility through escalators. Of the total area, the structure will encompass an art gallery, a cafeteria, a BMC chowky alongside a dedicated washroom for women and men.The proposal for a new facility was mooted by BJP corporator, Makarand Narwekar, amidst concerns of the existing chowkies and toilet structure disrupting pedestrian space. Flagging concerns over its incomplete work, Narwekar on October 20 wrote to the civic chief, Ashwini Bhide, and sought the immediate demolition of the existing Aspirational Toilet opposite Lion Gate in Colaba. Mumbai’s first underground public toilet to come up in Kala Ghoda (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty/file)Welcoming the BMC decision to build the new underground facility, Narwekar said,“To permanently eliminate the bottleneck while upgrading civic infrastructure, we had urged the administration to float tenders to shift the entire facility below ground. Relocating these utilities underground will restore safe walkways and complement existing pedestrian zones and planned underground parking in the area.”“An air-conditioned underground public convenience integrated with an art café and modern escalators will be the first of its kind in Mumbai, enhancing Kala Ghoda’s appeal as a premier tourist and cultural destination while upholding the civic body’s commitment to pedestrian rights,” he added.