As part of its beach beautification project, the BMC’s G/ south ward (Prabhadevi, Worli, Lower Parel) will construct a ‘coastal walkway/pathway’ by the sea, connecting part of the beachfront between the Nariman Bhat Jetty in Worli near Koliwada to the P Balu beachfront in Prabhadevi. The project, which is expected to connect the two beaches and thereby make the 200 metre-missing-link ‘connect’, is estimated to cost Rs 96 lakh.
With a view to adding yet another tourist spot and boost tourism in the financial capital, the Mumbai civic body has been working on the beautification and upgrade of various projects across the city. Earlier this month, Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray inaugurated a viewing deck at Dadar Chaityabhoomi.
Elaborating on the project, Sharad Ughade, Assistant Municipal Commissioner (G/south ward) said, “Under our ongoing beach beautification project, we are beautifying Nariman Bhat Jetty in Worli near Koliwada and P Balu beachfront in Prabhadevi, which were earlier in a very bad state. Especially the Nariman Bhat Jetty, which was surrounded by a garbage dump created by the nearby slums. The area is a major Ganesh idol immersion site, yet it gradually turned into a major garbage dumping spot. Not only has the area been cleaned but has also been beautified creating various public utilities and recreational spaces.”
Under the first phase of the beautification project at Nariman Bhat Jetty, the civic body has already constructed a viewing deck over an existing old StormWater Drain (SWD) outfall. The viewing deck gives an uninterrupted view of the sea, the skyline and the Bandra Worli Sea Link. Besides this, a multisports court has been constructed and the entire area and slum settlements adjacent to the beach have been painted with an aquamarine theme for effect.
Talking to The Free Press Journal Ughade added: “In the next phase, we will construct a connector or a walkway connecting the two beaches. Earlier, locals and tourists had to take a detour to go from one beach to another. We realised there was a missing link available, which will make it easier to travel from Nariman Bhat Jetty to P Balu beachfront.”
Besides this, the civic body has designed and proposed a gym and a library (with internet connectivity) set up in cargo containers on the P Balu beach, where there will be sitting areas with chess boards, apart from seating for visitors and tourists too.
“The beautified area on Nariman Bhat Jetty was visited by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray. The concept and execution was appreciated by the ministers and was encouraging for the team which worked on the project. The cost towards the connector/walkway will be under the BMC, while the remaining work will be done through CSR,” said another official from the G south ward.
Artists impression | Dipti Singh
The concept and execution was appreciated by the ministers and was encouraging for the team which worked on the project | Dipti Singh
