Proposed Nariman Point jetty: Residents worry about congestion

The MMB officials said the proposed mid-sea Shivaji memorial statue will be a 15-minute boat ride away from the jetty. (File)

WITH THE Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) planning a jetty at Nariman Point to give easier access to the proposed mid-sea Shivaji memorial, south Mumbai residents are an anxious lot.

The reason: The construction of the jetty near the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point may add to the number of tourists and traffic congestion in the island city.

The MMB, in a meeting with the BMC, last week, has sought four acres to be reclaimed near Nariman Point for construction of the jetty. The MMB officials said the proposed equestrian statue of the warrior king will be a 15-minute boat ride away from the jetty.

“The BMC has given an in-principle nod for the construction of the jetty in the meeting. The details of the project and the other construction details are to be worked out,” said Vijay Singhal, additional municipal commissioner, in charge of the gardens department.

Subhash Motwani, a member of the Clean Heritage Colaba Resident Association, said: “There is hardly any infrastructure there to cater to the existing tourists and the residents. Most of the times, the areas are cordoned off due to VIP movement… parking and movement of hawkers are unregulated. A jetty to ferry tourists will make things worse, especially on weekends.”

The four acres that is likely to eat into the proposed 300-acre park through reclamation in Cuffe Parade has also upset the residents.

To provide and increase the open spaces in the city, the BMC, in the Development Plan-2034, had proposed to create the an 300-acre park off Nariman Point through reclamation.

“In many discussions with the residents’ association, BMC had assured that the reclamation will be done only for creation of open spaces and improvement of fishing facilities. A jetty for tourists will only increase the load,” said Atul Kumar, president of Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens’ Association.

The 300-acre park, modelled on the Central Park of New York, other then a garden and playground, includes a jetty and harbour area for fishing activities. The area near the Cuffe Parade is used to park around 400 boats. The MMB will also have to secure permission from the BMC’s heritage committee for the same.

The BMC is also in the process to appoint a consultant for landscaping of the park, how reclamation will be done, amount of debris required and the technology needed for the same.