The BMC has invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) from private and public limited companies for the development of approximately 70 hectares of public open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road. This project will involve the development and maintenance of landscapes, gardens, and the upkeep of a 7.5 km continuous promenade along the coastal road. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 400 crores, which will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The 10.58-km Coastal Road stretches from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The entire Coastal Road is set to become fully operational by January 26. In March 2024, the BMC unveiled a landscape master plan for the development of the open spaces along the road. The plan includes the creation of a 7.5 km continuous promenade, with the open spaces divided into three distinct zones: Green Shore, Nature Cove, and Park Line. Additionally, the development will feature a Miyawaki forest, musical fountains, butterfly gardens, yoga tracks, open gyms, parks for senior citizens, children’s play areas, cycling and jogging tracks, and open auditoriums.
While the BMC will develop the promenade, the civic body is seeking interest from major companies to develop and maintain the landscapes and gardens along the coastal road under CSR funding for the long term. “Several major companies, including Reliance, Jindal, and Singhania, have shown interest in developing the green space,” said a senior civic official. Godfrey Pimenta, founder of WatchDog Foundation, raised concerns about the potential commercialisation of the Coastal Road’s open spaces. He warned that companies maintaining these spaces could install large hoardings for advertisements, leading to visual clutter and light pollution.
“It is imperative to strictly adhere to the conditions outlined in the Environmental Clearance dated 11th May 2017, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which prohibits the commercial exploitation of open spaces along the Coastal Road,” said Pimenta. Despite opposition from local residents, activists, and political parties, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) recently granted approval for hoardings at three specific locations along the coastal road.
