Residents of Mumbai’s Breach Candy neighbourhood, under the aegis of the Breach Candy Resident Forum (BCRF), have proposed transforming 85 acres of reclaimed land along the Coastal Road into an urban forest. The plan aims to increase green cover, alleviate environmental concerns, and create a peaceful public space for the community.
The BCRF submitted a detailed progress report to the chief engineer of the Coastal Road project, advocating for environmentally sustainable and community-centric development. Among their key suggestions are preventing access from Bhulabhai Desai Road to mitigate traffic congestion, halting plans for religious tourism that could draw large crowds, and avoiding features such as water-intensive lawns and activities that generate noise. They also recommend banning hoardings and billboards to maintain aesthetic integrity and restricting tourist buses on Bhulabhai Desai Road to preserve the tranquillity of the residential area. The residents propose the creation of a vibrant, serene urban forest spanning the reclaimed area from Tata Gardens to Mahalaxmi. Access points are suggested to be located along the Coastal Road to reduce foot traffic on already-busy roads. The initiative aims to restore the iconic Tata Gardens as a community hub for children, senior citizens, and local residents to enjoy.
A recent site visit by the BCRF, accompanied by architect Alfaz Miller, evaluated the land parcels to determine their suitability for such a project. A survey conducted by the Advanced Local Management group revealed that 69% of residents support the addition of a car park near Tata Gardens to address parking issues. The forum has also reached out to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and other officials to present their plans and seek approvals. The BCRF is actively seeking sponsors who share their vision for sustainable urban development and are planning follow-up meetings with city officials. They are committed to ensuring that this initiative contributes to the long-term enhancement of Mumbai’s green spaces while addressing local concerns about noise pollution and traffic.
