They fear that such a move will deprive them of any chance of redeveloping their buildings, many of which are in a shabby condition
The push to declare the Marine Drive precinct a UNSECO World Heritage Site, and a visit by a UNESCO World heritage team to inspect the area, has caused concern among many residents of the area. They fear that such a move will deprive them of any chance of redeveloping their buildings, many of which are in a shabby condition.
DNA spoke to residents of the area for their views on whether the push for a World Heritage Site tag for Marine Drive is an effort by a few for safeguarding their own properties and stonewalling the development of Marine Drive.
FATE OF MARINE DRIVE
- The fate of more than 1,040 flats and 37 buildings is being decided without even consulting them. While Marine Drive has already been declared a heritage precinct, the move to declare it a UNESCO World Heritage site is now gathering steam.
- A team from UNESCO is visiting the city this week to compile a report on the state government’s nomination of the Marine Drive precinct as a World Heritage Site.
South Mumbai has some amazing architecture, which was primarily built during the pre-Independence era. We should oppose redevelopment as a unified voice. I support the heritage tag as Marine Drive is one of the most iconic stretches of our city.
—Subhas Motwani, Colaba resident
The story of redevelopment of Marine Drive as heritage precinct is a perfect example of crony capitalism irrespective of governments. These capitalists will even argue that heritage structures like CST, Gateway of India need to be destroyed. I support the heritage tag.
—Rahul Hakani, Marine Drive resident
I want my building to be redeveloped. Currently, the ceiling height in our flats are higher than usual. If our buildings are redeveloped we will miss these aspects but for the sake of a better home and amenities we want redevelopment.
—Nishit Shah, Anand Niwas
The buildings in Marine Drive are old and not earthquake-resistant. We do not want the heritage tag. We support redevelopment because that will allow us to get rid of the old weak structure and we will have a strong building.
—Mahindra Hemdev, Agarwal House
Just because a building is old that doesn’t mean the building should be declared as heritage. The Marine Drive neighbourhood is not a heritage precinct. I do not support the heritage tag for this area.
—Pankaj Bhargav, Sahkar Bhawan resident
Even the promenade is a modern construction. There is no uniformity in the residential buildings, and the commercial establishments. One of the hotels even has a revolving floor. How can all of these be termed as heritage?
—Deepak Sanghavi, Aryan Mahal resident
If it’s about beautification then it is okay, but if residents are going to be inconvenienced and all of this isn’t in favour of the residents, then we are not in support of the heritage tag.
—Akash Purohit, Corporator, who has a house at Marine Drive
Granting the status of heritage site will be work in favour of Mumbai as a destination for global travelers. Once it is declared as heritage site, redevelopment will require many permissions.
—Shashank Kulkarni, Malabar Hill resident
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