The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled its ambitious landscaping blueprint for the expansive 70-hectare open space along the newly constructed Coastal Road. Despite BMC’s enthusiasm, the proposal has met with skepticism from city-based architects and urban planners who were present during the presentation.
Divided into three distinct thematic sections, the landscaping plan envisions the creation of a lush Miyawaki forest, dedicated cycling tracks, and a captivating butterfly garden, among other features. Scheduled to commence between May and June, BMC officials have indicated that the tendering process will be initiated during this timeframe. Hafeez Contractor, a renowned architect who was present at the meeting, said, “The paving area marked in brown in the ‘Nature Cove’ section is huge and can instead be developed as a green zone with a lot of tree plantation. Similarly, there is a proposal for creation of water bodies within these parks. But these should be developed as a space with trees instead. Furthermore, with so many green patches proposed in the plan and considering the proximity to the sea, proper planning must be carried out to ensure that the right type of trees are planted.”
In response to the concerns raised by architectural stakeholders, senior civic officials have taken a proactive step by inviting suggestions and feedback from residents. This move reflects BMC’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that community perspectives are integral to the development process. The unveiling of the landscaping plan underscores BMC’s dedication to enhancing the city’s green infrastructure and recreational spaces. However, the scrutiny from architectural experts underscores the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement and rigorous evaluation of design elements to achieve optimal outcomes. As BMC navigates the path forward, balancing the aspirations of various stakeholders while adhering to sustainability goals will be paramount. The solicitation of public input marks a significant step towards fostering transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Coastal Road landscaping project.
Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Commissioner who spearheaded the project, said that both open spaces and green zones have been planned within the 70 hectares of space, to accommodate the various recommendations floated by the public last year. Bhide said, “Some people were citing lack of greenery in the city while some pointed to the lack of open spaces. Therefore, we have incorporated both the suggestions in our plan.” Resident Urmila Rajadhyaksha from the Indian Society of Landscape Architects added, “The plan must also take care of the increasing storm surges that we are expecting, especially because we are expecting huge volumes of concrete works.”
