Worli promenade to get 2.8km longer after reclamation for coastal road
Vijay V Singh | TNN | Updated: Jan 19, 2019, 05:58 IST
Worli promenadeMUMBAI: The BMC circulated its entire plan for reclamation of land along Worli Sea Face in the public domain on Friday, to reassure citizens that the project will not disturb the existing promenade. On the contrary, it will get 2.8km longer.
The blueprint includes reclamation of land for the coastal road project, construction of a new promenade adjoining the coastal road, connecting the two stretches of the promenade currently divided by Bandra-Worli Sea Link, construction of a bus terminus and a two-tiered underground parking space. (See box).
The BMC’s coastal road officials said they have explained to residents that they will retain the existing promenade and construct another, 2.8km-long one, after reclaiming the seabed. The BMC said it will connect the proposed and existing promenades and that the joint stretch will be 4.5km long. Coastal road chief engineer Mohan Machiwal said, “We are not destroying the Worli promenade. On the contrary, we are adding another 2.8km to it. We are also placing flex banners to educate people about the project.”
Worli residents and Worli Walkers’ Association have planned a protest against the project at Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, though they promise it will not come in the way of the event. Last month, the BMC began to barricade around 300 meters of the south side of the promenade. Residents wanted a written assurance that the existing promenade would not be disturbed. The BMC has likewise circulated the blueprint and promised to restore the existing promenade after the coastal road work is complete and said only a portion of it will be taken up for the project.
Local resident Pimmy Seth said, “We have no opposition to the coastal road but the BMC should not snatch our existing promenade from us, which is used by senior citizens for their walks. If the BMC claims it will retain the existing promenade, it should give us a written assurance. The BMC has not given us any clarity on the issue.”
Locals are also worried about the entry and exit route of buses from the proposed bus terminus on reclaimed land.
The BMC is constructing a 10km coastal road that will start from Marine Drive and connect the Worli end of the sea link.
Recently, residents held a meeting with local political representatives and BMC officials. Locals said the BMC did not explain details of the plan.
The blueprint includes reclamation of land for the coastal road project, construction of a new promenade adjoining the coastal road, connecting the two stretches of the promenade currently divided by Bandra-Worli Sea Link, construction of a bus terminus and a two-tiered underground parking space. (See box).
The BMC’s coastal road officials said they have explained to residents that they will retain the existing promenade and construct another, 2.8km-long one, after reclaiming the seabed. The BMC said it will connect the proposed and existing promenades and that the joint stretch will be 4.5km long. Coastal road chief engineer Mohan Machiwal said, “We are not destroying the Worli promenade. On the contrary, we are adding another 2.8km to it. We are also placing flex banners to educate people about the project.”
Worli residents and Worli Walkers’ Association have planned a protest against the project at Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, though they promise it will not come in the way of the event. Last month, the BMC began to barricade around 300 meters of the south side of the promenade. Residents wanted a written assurance that the existing promenade would not be disturbed. The BMC has likewise circulated the blueprint and promised to restore the existing promenade after the coastal road work is complete and said only a portion of it will be taken up for the project.
Local resident Pimmy Seth said, “We have no opposition to the coastal road but the BMC should not snatch our existing promenade from us, which is used by senior citizens for their walks. If the BMC claims it will retain the existing promenade, it should give us a written assurance. The BMC has not given us any clarity on the issue.”
Locals are also worried about the entry and exit route of buses from the proposed bus terminus on reclaimed land.
The BMC is constructing a 10km coastal road that will start from Marine Drive and connect the Worli end of the sea link.
Recently, residents held a meeting with local political representatives and BMC officials. Locals said the BMC did not explain details of the plan.
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