December 15, 2025: Residents from Marine Drive, Churchgate, and Nariman Point gathered at the Cricket Club of India last week for a closed-door interaction with former corporators, focusing on long-pending civic issues ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The meeting aimed to encourage stronger citizen participation in local elections, especially in South Mumbai, which recorded the lowest voter turnout during the recent assembly polls.
Key concerns discussed included traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, access restrictions, and poor civic infrastructure. Residents demanded reopening one end of Nariman Point to the public, a review of the proposed road connector between Nariman Point and General Bhonsle Marg, and the creation of pedestrian underpasses at G Road, Pizza By The Bay, and along the Madam Cama Road–Marine Drive promenade. Issues such as overcrowding on the promenade, damaged footpaths, and speeding vehicles late at night were also highlighted.
The interaction was organised by Vinay Somani along with former corporators Harshita and Makarand Narwekar. Ahead of the meeting, the group also met local MLA Rahul Narwekar. Ashok Gupta, vice-president of the Marine Drive Residents Association, recalled earlier planning proposals to ease congestion. “When the Backbay Reclamation first happened, a road connecting Marine Drive to Nariman Point was sanctioned… if it were to be done now, it would greatly help in decongesting all traffic at Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade,” he said. Referring to recent discussions with authorities, Gupta added, “We were told that MMRDA is making a connector from Nariman Point to Lalit building, Cuffe Parade… we wanted the original plan to be implemented.”
Residents also flagged growing crowd pressure on the Marine Drive promenade, largely attributed to the floating population arriving from nearby railway stations. “There is a crowd around the Marine Drive buildings while the rest of Marine Drive… is relatively uncluttered,” Somani said. As a possible solution, residents suggested a free, standees-only bus service during peak evening hours. “It may solve the problem,” Somani said.
Footpath quality emerged as another major issue. “The uneven footpaths… are not walkable and neither are they wheelchair- and pram-friendly,” said Sunil Goenka, adding, “The only model footpath is opposite Indian Merchant Chambers and should be replicated everywhere.”
The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated citizen action and higher voter participation. “Residents must vote and express themselves,” Somani said.
