22/11/2014
Nearly 30 years after former prime minister Indira Gandhi ordered opening up of non-operational lands of Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) for recreational and cultural use, the BJPgovernment has rekindled Mumbaikars' hope of getting the open spaces.
Enthused by the development, the Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) in collaboration with a citizen's group and Columbia University has prepared a blueprint for making use of over 1,000 acres for creating public amenities and open spaces.
"The proposal is to integrate the port land with adjacent city areas such as Sewri, Lalbaug, Byculla, Mazagaon, Dongri and Bhendi Bazar and provide Mumbaikars with much needed public amenities and open spaces which are critical for our city's sustainable growth, as the commercial and entrepreneurial heart of India," said Meera Sanyal, chairperson of the the urban development committee of the Indian Merchant Chamber (IMC).
The IMC proposal suggests redevelopment of New Nadkarni Park in Wadala as residential areas and colonies to rehabilitate project affected persons (PAP)s. A rich and vibrant tourist and cultural zone can be carved out of the Sewri Fort area, while an eco-park featuring a flamingo sanctuary and a mangrove conservation site can come up at the edge of Sewri mudflats.
The dock areas like Haji Bunder, Hay Bunder, Lakdi Bunder and Cotton Green, which presently resemble ghost towns, offers possibility of an education and sports facility hub, with an aim to create a next-generation economy. Similarly, the space near Darukhana can be transformed from a toxic ship-breaking yard into a bustling water sports facility, which will attract tourism and consequently add revenue to the state.
The proposal further envisions Ferry Wharf and Bhaucha Dhakka to be turned into a modern fishing jetty and coastal ferry passenger terminal, while it talks of transforming Victoria Dock and Princes Dock into a ship repair facility and a marina respectively.
Indian Merchant Chamber's blueprint suggests reorientation of the OCT jetty to a cruise ship terminal. It says the Sassoon Docks has the potential to provide state-of-the-art facilities for sea food auctions, processing and export. IMC president Prabodh Thakker said, "We are all the stakeholders of Mumbai's future and its new geography is on our hands."
