The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Water Department is set to develop the city's first multilevel viewing gallery in Malabar Hill. Visitors will be able to get a clear view of Marine Drive from the viewing gallery.
The viewing gallery, which is expected to be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 8 crore, will be the first of its kind in the city, says a senior official from the Water Hydraulic Engineering department of the BMC.
The Water Hydraulic Engineering department at Malabar Hill has two plots —number 380 and 381 — where it set up a control room to supply water in the area. The remaining area of the plots was given to a hotel on lease. The hotel was unwilling to move even after the lease ended. "We approached the court and finally, the BMC evicted the hotel following an order from the Bombay High Court," said the official. After reclaiming the plot, the department decided to develop a viewing gallery.
The gallery will have three levels. "The top level will be closed for visitors as a safety measure. Even from the first two levels, visitors can get a clear view of Marine Drive," said the official.
"We will keep enough greenery to ensure it is eco-friendly and also use stones to give the gallery a natural look. We will make provisions for a cafeteria on each floor and install an iron railing as a safety measure," said the official.
"We have planned to open the viewing gallery for visitors before the monsoon arrives in the city," added the official.
The Water Department has shifted the water supply control room to another place. "We will bring back the control room after the is construction complete," added the official.
GALLERY PLAN
2,000 sq.ft total built-up area of the gallery
250 visitors can be accommodated in the gallery at a time
Rs 8 crore total cost of the project
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