The Maharashtra state government has announced a substantial INR 350 crore development plan for Mumbai. This initiative is poised to bring transformative changes to key cultural and historic landmarks in the city, marking a significant boost in infrastructure and beautification efforts.
The development blueprint encompasses major projects targeting three prominent sites: the Mahalaxmi and Mumbadevi temple precincts, the Haji Ali dargah, and the Gateway of India plaza. Each project is set to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of these iconic locations. At the Mahalaxmi temple precinct, a dedicated investment of INR 60 crore will facilitate the construction of a new building using natural materials such as stones and basalt. This development will also feature improved spaces for rituals and enhanced crowd management facilities. Similarly, the Mumbadevi temple precinct will see renovations prioritising natural materials, with designated areas for rituals and better crowd control measures.
The Haji Ali dargah is set for a major facelift, which includes the construction of two retaining walls, each stretching 264 metres, along with a rock armour bund. Additionally, the pathway leading to the dargah will be elevated to seven metres to address the concerns of flooding and enhance accessibility. In a bid to facilitate these projects, the Mumbai guardian minister has committed to clearing encroachments from crucial roads linking Crawford Market, Cotton Market, and Mumbadevi over the next four days. Furthermore, a substantial fund of INR 50 crore has been allocated to address development needs across 10 assembly constituencies in the island city.
Following a comprehensive review of 62 projects undertaken in the past two years, the guardian minister emphasised his accountability for the city’s development. He indicated that several projects from the previous year are either in the tendering phase or will commence shortly. The ground-breaking ceremonies for these initiatives will be conducted by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, marking the official start of these ambitious endeavours.
