Marine Drive beautification plan clears coastal hurdle

The long-pending Marine Drive makeover project has got the clearance from Maharashtra coastal authority giving it a go ahead.

The long-pending Marine Drive makeover project has got the clearance from the state coastal authority giving it a go ahead.

HT Image

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) in June cleared the project on certain conditions including that the proposed amphitheatre, promontory and the bhel plaza (at Girgaum Chowpatty) be built with environment friendly material, and that the project follows the CRZ notification 2011.

The redevelopment project that was initiated in 2004 was revived this year by the empowered committee on Mumbai makeover led by chief secretary JK Banthia.

If the new plan gets off the drawing board, you could soon walk into the sea on a walkway, view the Marine Drive from a gallery at the Air India building, and skate at an open space near the NCPA.

The proposed plan being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) aims at redoing the entire Marine Drive stretch starting from Machimarnagar in Colaba up to Girgaum Chowpatty.

The plan includes short-term goals such as extending the promenade, restoration of the heritage Parsi gate, building a walkway, as well as long-term ones, which includes building underground parking space at gymkhana ground.

Other projects that got a go ahead from the MCZMA include demolishing of the Mahim Causeway bridge and the Dharavi bridge as a part of the Mithi River project.

Also, building of basic facilities - changing rooms, lockers, bathrooms and toilets - at one beach in Thane and four others in Raigad got clearance.