29.9.17

Bandra by the Bay on track

Encroachments that stand in the way of BMC's major plan to beautify the Bandra seafront are slowly but surely being removed. The BMC's ambitious project `Bandra by the Bay', which involves a complete overhaul of Bandra Fort, will be kicked off next month. Plans are afoot to create a continuous pathway from Bandstand to Bandra Fort, from where it would turn up towards the underpass of the Bandra Worli Sea Link to connect to Bandra Reclamation. On September 27, the civic standing committee approved architect Hafeez Contractor as the consultant for the project, for which the BMC has made a budgetary provision of Rs.2 crore this year. The estimated total cost for the project is Rs.30 crore. The project is the brainchild of Bandra Bandstand Residents' Trust along with BJP Mumbai president and MLA Ashish Shelar.

The walk from Bandra Fort to Reclamation is expected to be a big tourist attraction.

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority had earlier “deferred“ the proposal as it was not inclined to allow any construction or reclamation near the sea. But architect Hafeez Contractor clarified that the project would not require any reclamation of land.

Other features of the project include an ampitheatre, butterfly park, a promenade designed like waves, a cycling track. LED lighting along the promenade will also create a Queen's Necklace counterpart in the suburbs.

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