Marine Drive to install railings along divider, cycling lane

MUMBAI: The three-member committee appointed by Bombay high-court has approved beautification of Marine Drive and installation of railings along the divider to discourage pedestrians from jumping across, which leads to serious accidents.

The committee consists of Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) chairman Ramanath Jha, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta and city police Chief Datta Padsalgikar.

For any work purpose along the Marine Drive, a heritage precinct, one needs the approval of the committee and then the MHCC by mentioning work details.

An official stated that Padsalgikar raised the issues for a road divider from NCPA to GirgaumChowpatty at the committee meeting. Pedestrians often cross the road by jumping over the divider after negotiating speeding vehicles, which leads to accidents. The committee agreed to put railings along the divider, after which BMC initiated the process to prepare a plan.

The committee signalled to repair the damaged portion of the Marine Drive promenade, which was has not been done in a decade.

BMC proposal to mark one lane of the road for cycling on Sundays also got a green signal from the committee. BMC had proposed one lane on both sides of the road on the 11km stretch from NCPA to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.”We have permission and have shortlisted an agency to organize the event. An NGO is interested in providing cycles on rent near NCPA, Girgaum Chowpatty and Worli. One can hire a cycle at these points and drop them off there too. We plan to start it from December 3.”

BMC’s other proposals to beautify the Marine Drive stretch, also got clearance from the committee. It is also preparing a plan for tree plantation in with consultation with a heritage architect from NCPA to Tambe Chowk (near Girgaum Chowpatty)