F1 car-racing event featuring Hamilton may be shifted from Marine Drive to BKC

The venue for a Formula One car-racing event featuring Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton may be shifted from Marine Drive to BKC. The event is to be held on September 18, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that the organizers have asked for the necessary permissions from the traffic police and MMRDA for the event.

According to the report, a traffic police officer said the department has received a proposal from organizers to hold the event at BKC. and they are still processing the permission. The BMC and the traffic police had refused to grant permission for the event at Marine Drive. Residents of the area, too, had opposed the plan. "BKC was our alternate venue. The Marine Drive residents had some concerns. We respected their sentiments," and went ahead with our plan," a spokesperson from organizers Vodafone said.

Meanwhile according to a report in Hindustan Times, following strong opposition from Marine Drive residents, the venue of Vodafone Speedfest featuring the sports star has shifted to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

Ashok Wankhede, assistant metropolitan commissioner, confirmed that the organisers have booked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground at BKC, for which they have also paid the required fee. “For using roads, the organisers will need permission from the traffic department and other police authorities. MMRDA has no role in it,” said Wankhede.

However, the event at BKC is yet to get a nod from the traffic department. “We have received the application. The matter is under consideration and we are processing the file,” said Vivek Phansalkar, joint commissioner of police (traffic). He refused to share more details on the matter saying work on the proposal is in progress.