No to beach makeover

The phase II of the Rs 130-crore Marine Drive Beautification Project has now come under cloud with a Bombay High Court-appointed committee for chowpatty objecting to the upgradation. While the state is being asked to file a reply by March 14, Ratan Batliboi, the architect of the project, told DNA that he was interested in a dialogue with the committee instead of a legal recourse.

Funded by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the phase II proposes a coconut groove along the beach integrating the existing Nana Nani Park and the Tilak Udyan to ensure they get a ‘beach character’. It also proposes a memorial park which will have statues of prominent citizens in the city. The footpath, along the groove, will be divided into two parts: one going along the plantation and another entering within.

Taking into consideration the huge crowd for the annual Ganesh festivals, special entrances are designed for the same and other such functions. And at the Tambe chowk leading to Teen Batti, the plan proposes a sunrise point integrating the existing three spaces into one.

“We have opposed the integration of the existing gardens as it would create problems during Ganesh immersion. The statue park will also completely change the character of the beach, which cannot be under as per HC directive,” said RA Rajeev, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) and a committee member. Rajeev said, “In 2003, during the tenure of former Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, there was a move to have a statue park, which was opposed. As per the master plan, no further greening of the beach will be allowed,” added activist Indrani Malkani, another HC committee member. Malkani also opposed the proposed amphitheatre planned at the Birla Kreeda Kendra.

“Why an amphitheatre at Nariman Point at the land’s end?” she asked. Batliboi, who has already made a presentation to the HC committee, said that he was interested in a dialogue.

“I gave a 300-page report to the members. We are willing to make changes as per their suggestions,” he added. T Chandrashekhar, metropolitan commissioner, said permission for the phase II had to be procured by Batliboi.

“We will go by the rule book. The suggestions and objections of the HC committee will be adhered to,” he said. Meanwhile, Rs 30-crore phase I of the project, consisting of granite stonework the along the 3.5-km promenade is in last stage, with three walking zones made up of kerbstones and paver blocks.