14.9.13

Marine Drive Phase-2013


The long-pending second phase of the Marine Drive beautification project is slated to begin next month.
After the facelift, estimated to take 18 months and Rs 60 crore, the landmark boulevard will have walkways, subways and sea viewing galleries. Also, a string of LED lights will be laid to add to the glitter of the 3-km stretch when viewed from higher ground at night, a view called the Queen’s Necklace.
“We will replace overhead bridges with subways that will be along commercial establishments and toilets,” said architect Ratan J Batliboi, who has designed the master plan.
The subways will be at five locations along or near Marine Drive: Girgaum Chowpatty, where the footbridge near Sukh Sagar hotel was recently demolished; Charni Road; D-Road; Churchgate; and Mantralaya. An Art Deco walk, to cover the stretch along the boulevard’s 39 Art Deco buildings, is also being planned. It will be from the Princess Street flyover to Commonwealth Bank, Nariman Point.
Near the NCPA, the walkway along the boulevard will end in a promontory. “There will be a semicircular balcony with seats along the promenade at the NCPA end for maximum projection into the sea for a good view. A viewing deck will also be near the Tambe Chowk junction at Chowpatty. Then, the Parsi Heritage Gate will be restored,” Batliboi said.
The project, called Marine Drive Phase-2013, will not be the same as the initially planned phase-II. The first phase was initiated in 2004, but there has been little work since February 2008. Phase-II was stalled as the BMC was unable to find the Rs 100 crore required for the project, which included an observatory 200 metres from the shore, glass-capsule elevators in the Air India building, underground parking near the gymkhanas on Marine Drive, a sunset point in front of the NCPA, and high-low tide decks in front of the Air India building. In the modified phase-II, plans for such structures have been shelved or modified. Also, the cost has been brought down.
COST 60 crore
FUNDER MMRDA
COMPLETION 18 months from start of work

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