World-class promenade in Bandra soon

After delays and a budget that has gone haywire, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link may finally see the light of day this year.

As the bridge was under construction, the New Bandra Bandstand (as it is unofficially called), became a hub for lovebirds. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) awarded the tender worth Rs8 crore to develop 1.25 km-long Bandra promenade to DB Realties, on Monday. The firm  will develop it in six months and will maintain it for 15 years.

According to Vivek Ghanekar, superintendent engineer, MSRDC, the work will not disturb the vehicular traffic. “Since the promenade is along the sea shore, the construction work will not hamper the road traffic. Moreover, MSRDC will earn Rs1 crore as fees from the real estate company annually,” he told DNA. The promenade will be divided into three stages. Sea edge, Road edge and jogging track. There will be a systematic grid of palm planting and lighting hierarchy.

This beautification will also include sit-outs for people to enjoy the breeze. A separate area for meditation will be created. The promenade will be under private security and responsibility of maintaining it will be with the developer.

A board walk is also being mulled. This concept — though not very clear in presentations given by bidders — appears to be a celebrity walk which will be clubbed with amphitheatre. However, Officials said that they have still not decided about the final structure.