Phase 1 of the Rs30-crore beautification project has been finally cleared by the Mumbai Urban Heritage Conservation Committee.
Phase 1 of Rs30-crore beautification project gets heritage clearance.
Phase 1 of the Rs30-crore Marine Drive beautification project has been finally cleared by the Mumbai Urban Heritage Conservation Committee (MUHCC).
While stating that the design does fall under heritage rules, the committee, however, did object to the removal of trees along the promenade. It also directed architect Ratan Batliboi to approach the group again for clearing phase II of the project.
The proposed walkway to experience the Arabian sea at the Veer Nariman Road junction along Marine Drive and the coconut grove at Girgaum Chowpatty had come under criticism from heritage experts and the High Court Chowpatty committee members.
Batliboi was also under fire for approaching the MUHCC after the work on the project kicked off in April. The project is funded by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. He told DNA that he had undertaken civil work like granite stonework along the 3.5km-long promenade and three walking zones made up of kerbstones and paver blocks, which does not come under the heritage purview. “We have safely transplanted the existing trees at Oval Maidan and local residents are taking care of them,” he said. “We have been searching nurseries up to Panvel to get new trees.”
Phase I consists of landscaped zones with aesthetic bus stops with parking area and sea-facing seats. Along the gymkhanas on the opposite footpath will be an eco-walk equipped with parking areas, flowerbeds and 10 aesthetically designed bus stops. Below the Princess Street flyover, the plan proposes green zones with public amenities. “Seventy per cent of the sea wall has been constructed and phase I should be completed by January 2007,” said Batliboi.
The Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens’ Association (NPCCA) is pushing for pedestrian subways along Marine Drive, which is a part of phase II. “It is needed considering the crowds at Chowpatty and also at the Nani Nani Park,” said Neera Punj, NPCCA secretary. “It is a crucial amenity.”
She added that restoring the promenade with utilities in a sturdy, minimalistic fashion is the need of the hour. “Dissenting voices must be reasonable and must come together on a common platform,” Punj said. Batliboi admitted that phase II would consist of several CRZ and environmental issues.
“Phase II is completely my idea, which is open for debate before approval and needs funding too,” he added.
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