Upkeep work underway at Marine Drive

Three wards of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — A, C and D — have stared repair as well as beautification work of around 4.5 km stretch from Marine Drive to Girgaum Chowpatty. The works include footpath maintenance and gardening beneath flyovers.

Jeevak Ghegadmal, assistant commissioner of C ward said that he has been carrying out gardening works beneath flyover coming under his ward jurisdiction. "The work includes maintenance of footpath, rising height of divider to prevent people from crossing road and installation of LED lights," said Ghegadmal. He added that the beautification works will be carried out from Trident Hotel in Marine Drive to Girgaum Chowpatty.

At Girgaum Chowpatty, the civic body plans to increase the sitting capacity. "Large concrete structures will be constructed where visitors can sit and enjoy the seashore," said Ghegadmal.

The divider along Marine Drive will be increased from the current 2 feet to 4 feet to prevent people from crossing the road.

The BMC had changed the street lights on Marine Drive to LEDs last year however no major repairs were undertaken at the precinct. "The maintenance work of the stretch was pending and the present work is regular work that the civic body has been carrying out," said AL Jarhad, additional municipal commissioner (City).

However, the civic body will not restore the defunct fountain between Marine Drive and Tambe Chowk. Jarhad said the fountain will not be restored as it is difficult to maintain. However, the civic body will undertake plantation and gardening beneath flyover and at important junctions.