4 days ago
I-day gift for citizens: Second sea-viewing promenade on Mumbai Coastal Road to be inaugurated today
Citizens are set to get their second sea-viewing promenade this Independence Day as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to open the 5.5km-long stretch of the 7.5 km-long Mumbai Coastal Road promenade on August 15.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the promenade on Thursday, and the promenade will be thrown open to citizens a day later.
'The promenade will be inaugurated virtually by the CM on Thursday. Citizens will be able to access the promenade from 4.30pm on Friday (August 15),' BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and state-appointed administrator told the Indian Express on Wednesday.
The 10km-long coastal road was opened to traffic in March last year. However, the promenade was yet to be opened since some balance work for the same was yet to be completed.
The civil works were completed in the first week of July, and it was set for opening on July 15. However, the opening date was deferred by the authorities, and the final date of inauguration was awaiting confirmation.
'The civil works at the promenade have been completed. Only some last-minute ancillary works are underway at the spot, including cleaning of the surface, putting dustbins in place, painting of the track and road signages,' said an official.
According to officials, the 7.5 km-long coastal road promenade will be opened in two phases.
In the first phase that will be inaugurated on Thursday, the BMC will be opening 5.5km of the stretch, and in the second phase, the remaining 2km stretch will be opened.
The 5.5km stretch will comprise walkways and sitting areas, similar to the Marine Drive. Besides these, the promenade will also include a cycle track. Civic officials said the promenade will be accessible via 19 pedestrian underpasses (PuP).
These passes will originate from locations such as Khan Abdul Khan Gaffar Road, Haji Ali, and Lala Lajpat Road.
'There are a total of 19 PuPs in the coastal road, of which six will be opened initially at the time of inauguration of this promenade. The remaining PuPs will be opened in a phased manner,' an official said.
Meanwhile, in a bid to enhance the greenery of this stretch, the civic body has planted 300 trees—including palm, Washington robusta, and Barringtonia—along the promenade.
To cater to the large footfall that is being anticipated at the site, the BMC is also installing four bio-toilets along the promenade, which will be located near Amarsons Garden at Breach Candy, Mahalakshmi, while two are set to be erected in Worli.
'The remaining 2km of the promenade will take more time to open, as it was not included in the first phase of the plan, and a fresh tender was floated for this phase,' the official added.
