Grand plan on board to transform Nariman Point

“During discussions with residents of Nariman Point in the Citizens Action Ground,redevelopment of Nariman Point cropped up a few times. Therefore,we decided to go ahead with a concept plan to give a facelift to the business district to raise it to international standards. It was a joint venture by citizen’s association and MMRDA,” said a senior M MRDA official,requesting anonymity.

According to the official,over the years,the number of people working here has grown considerably,leading to inadequate facilities,chiefly parking space.

He added,“There is a school of thought that this development should be extended to Marine Lines and Charni Road,too,to give good residential space along with a business district.”

The ambitious plan was presented to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on December 5 and he has given in-principle consent to it,top MMRDA officials confirm. The overall plan includes development of the seafront up to Cuffe Parade,underground intersection of Azad Maidan and Cross Maidan,open space of 12 acres,underground parking space with a capacity of around 5,000 vehicles,food courts,entertainment hubs and buildings to house judges,bureaucrats,ministers. It will also include a tall structure competing with highrises across the world.

“Like they have it in Shanghai,here too it would be an attraction¿an iconic structure near the seafront with 4 lakh square metres of built-up area,” the official said.

MMRDA,despite being the SPA of the area may not have an easy time going about implementing the concept plan as most of the land in the area belongs to the Public Works Department (PWD). The concept plan has also repackaged the Mantralaya redevelopment though the Public Works Department has already initiated the process of redeveloping it.