Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Sunday assured residents that the gardens along the Coastal Road will be ready within three seasons. The commitment came during a citizen dialogue at Priyadarshini Park, organised by the Susieben Shah Initiative and the South Mumbai Residents’ Association.
The assurance followed concerns raised by senior citizen B A Desai regarding potential delays. Gagrani responded that while Mumbai would see visible transformation over the next two years, the Coastal Road gardens would specifically be delivered within three seasons.
The interaction was attended by over 350 residents from Worli to Colaba, along with Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora. Gagrani described the Coastal Road as a significant public infrastructure initiative envisioned under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “This transformation is inevitable. The challenge before all of us is to make it organised, citizen-friendly and sustainable,” he said, noting that the mobility project began in 2018 after overcoming multiple hurdles. “It is a mobility project. Having said that, the value addition with the project will now begin henceforth,” he added.
Addressing concerns about reclamation, he pointed out that large parts of south Mumbai stand on reclaimed land. “Nearly 50% of south Mumbai and 20% of the suburbs stand on reclaimed land. Reclamation began as early as 1720. While it has addressed connectivity challenges, any land not used for transport must be optimally utilised for public purposes,” he said.
He clarified there would be no commercial use of the reclaimed areas. “The BMC has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that this land will not be used for commercial purposes. No commercial activity will take place. Only minimal maintenance charges for parking or washroom facilities may be levied,” he said.
Source: Hindustan Times
