Mumbai: The Breach Candy Resident Forum (BCRF) has proposed transforming the 85-acre reclaimed land at Breach Candy into an urban forest to enhance green space.
They have submitted a progress report to the chief engineer of the Coastal Road project, highlighting key concerns such as preventing entry from Bhulabhai Desai Road to avoid congestion, halting plans for religious tourism, and avoiding water-wasting lawns or noisy activities.
Additionally, they have requested a ban on hoardings and billboards along the Coastal Road and suggested restricting tourist buses from using Bhulabhai Desai Road for drop-offs and pick-ups to maintain the tranquility of the residential area.
The residents' core team recently met with Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to present their vision for an urban forest on the 35-hectare reclaimed land from Tata Garden to Mahalaxmi. They also submitted a list of "What residents don't want" to M.Swami, the chief engineer of the Coastal Road project.
The team proposed opening access points to the green space from the Coastal Road side to reduce foot traffic from the already-congested main road, considering the locality's topography. Based on data collected from Advanced Local Management members, 69% of residents voted in favor of a car park near Tata Gardens.
The resident's forum recently conducted a site visit with architect Alfaz Miller to evaluate the three parcels of land, assess its current condition, and determine the best approach for beautification.
"Our goal is to create a vibrant garden space and restore the old Tata Gardens as a community hub where children, senior citizens, and local residents can come together and enjoy the space," said Nandini Chabria, a core team member of BCRF, in a letter to the Breach Candy residents.
The core team is actively working to secure a suitable sponsor who shares their vision for an urban forest. A follow-up meeting with officials is expected soon.
The residents of Worli, Breach Candy, and Napean Sea Road, who live next to the Coastal Road, have recently raised concerns about the noise pollution caused by the traffic from cars and bikes.
