The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will spend over Rs 100 crore to prepare 77 hectares of reclaimed land along the Mumbai Coastal Road before handing it over to Reliance Foundation for landscaping and development.
According to reports, the foundation has been awarded a contract worth around Rs 400 crore to design and execute the project under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. Nita Ambani recently introduced the concept, calling the proposed development ‘Coastal Gardens’ and positioning it as a major green space for the city.
A civic official familiar with the plan said: “It was earlier decided that Reliance will do all work. However, they have asked the civic body to resurface and level the land. It has been decided to fill the land at height of 900 mm with mud, accordingly trees can be planted. Work at one stretch has already begun. It is important to hand over some parcels of reclaimed land before monsoon, so that the trees and shrubs planted will grow in during rains.”
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani shared the project timeline during a citizens’ interaction organised by the South Mumbai Residents Association, where a draft concept plan was also presented.
As per the plan, 55% of the area will be dedicated to forests and wooded zones, 25% to open recreational spaces, 10% to pathways, and the remaining 10% to public plazas. The design includes Miyawaki microforest pockets, urban parkland areas, and woodland clusters, integrated with walking paths and amenities.
Envisioned as a “Green Necklace” to complement the iconic Marine Drive ‘Queen’s Necklace’, the project aims to create a large, accessible green corridor along the seafront. The Coastal Gardens are expected to be completed within three seasons, offering Mumbai a significant new urban green space.
Source: Swarajya
