MUMBAI: A month after opening it to the public, the BMC plans to levy a charge on entry of visitors to the Malabar Hill viewing gallery that offers a panoramic view of Marine Drive. Currently, the facility is free of cost and kept open all day. The civic body feels an entry charge will help recover the recurring costs involved in maintaining the gallery.The gallery, named Pramod Nawalkar Viewing Gallery and located next to Kamala Nehru Park, has come up in place of the iconic Cafe Naaz. The BMC has spent Rs 8 crore on creating the gallery that is 279m above sea level. The deck can accommodate 150 people at a time and is disabled-friendly.A civic official said a proposal is in the pipeline to levy a charge. "The plan is to continue keeping it free for kids below the age of 16 years. However, we propose to charge adults Rs 50 and foreigners Rs 100. We are also planning to charge a fee for use of the telescope and binoculars in the gallery," said the official.Currently, there are two binoculars and two telescopes installed in the gallery.Malabar Hill resident, Prakash Munshi, said the cost of maintaining the gallery should be minimized so that visitors get free access. "The lift should be strictly restricted to senior citizens. Also, visitors should be allowed in batches to prevent any damage to facilities," he said.Another local resident and activist Indrani Malkani said levying a fee was acceptable as it is done at popular tourist sites the world over. "Whenever people pay to use a facility, they are always much more cautious of it. This is not a park where entry should be kept free, but a facility showcasing the iconic attractions of the city," she said.

Stay updated with all the Mumbai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.