Now it languishes in a decrepit state, strewn with rubble and overrun by encroachers. This is Chimbai Beach.
Bandra will finally get its beach back as residents and fishermen resurrect Chimbai coast
It used to be an idyllic strip of coast, from St Andrew's Church graveyard to Jogger's Park in Bandra (W). Now it languishes in a decrepit state, strewn with rubble and overrun by encroachers. This is Chimbai Beach.
But now, local fishermen, along with Bandra residents, are planning on changing all that. They are looking restore the beach to its former glory.
“It was a beautiful sandy beach, and my son would go fishing on Sundays. We want the beach to come back to Bandra,” says Shyama Kulkarni, president, H (W) Trust.
For local fisherman, Jacob Falcon, Chimbai beach was never short of fresh fish and crabs. “There was sand on the beach for kids. Elderly people would sit there and play cards,” he adds.
But all those fond memories are in the past. Cut to 2008 and the builder lobby has not spared these sandy shores. For the last three years, they have been eyeing Chimbai, and constructing one-storey bungalows right on the beach.
“They violate the CRZ norms. We have been fighting against rampant illegal construction for three years. The BMC and the Collector just pass the buck,” says Anil Joseph, member, H (W) Citizen's Trust. The rampant encroachment is not the only cause for concern for the local fishermen.
“There was a khalla, a designated place for fishermen to dry fish. But this open space was lost as 15 buildings came up in its place,” said Joseph. Chimbai beach is also a dumping yard for Bandra's construction debris.
“Local residents have appointed a guard and are maintaining a vigil to prevent further dumping,” says Joseph.
The idea of restoring Chimbai Beach will soon begin to take shape as the rubble-clearing process is already in full swing. It will take another 15 days to remove the rubble that has accumulated over the years.
“There will be a walkway built to prevent further dumping and encroachment, on the beach.
There will also be a place for fishermen to dock their boats. Architect PK Das will prepare the design,” says local corporator Asif Zakaria.
Zakaria has already made a presentation to the municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak to make budgetary provisions for Chimbai.
“I have asked for a budgetary allocation to be made in April. I'll also approach the MLA and the MP for funds,” said Zakaria.
b_linah@dnaindia.net
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