Only Marathi on Bandra promenade, says MNS

Even before work could commence on the Bandra promenade beautification project, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has sent out a list of demands to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The party has demanded that all signboards on the promenade be in Marathi and that the area should be used to promote Marathi culture. In a letter to the MSRDC, the MNS has warned that they will launch an agitation if their demands are not met.

After a delay of almost two years, the MSRDC awarded the contract for the project to DB Realty in April. The area where the promenade is to be developed will be divided in three stages — sea edge, road edge and jogging track.

Also planned on the promenade is an open air theatre, the seven-island columns or the Saptdeep Stambh, Bollywood Celebrity Walk and Board Walk, Tower of Destiny or Sheesh Minar, an area for meditation, and sit outs.

“Any information which is related to Mumbai’s history must be given in Marathi,” said MNS leader Tushar Aphale from Bandra. “Also, we want that Marathi programmes should be given priority at the amphitheatre.”

Aphale said Marathi literary programmes should be held on the weekend to attract more audience. “In fact, we demand that only Marathi programmes be allowed on weekends. Our culture and language should be given top priority by the corporation since they use the language in their official use as well,” the letter states.