Mumbai: More than eight months after the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) project was opened round-the-clock to motorists, landscaping of the open spaces along the stretch is yet to begin. Civic officials said the BMC has been asked by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL)—which has been assigned the landscaping work—to first carry out soil filling up to 900 mm above the existing ground level.“The filling, to be done using sub-granular base and murum, will cover nearly 65 hectares out of the 111 hectares of reclaimed land and is expected to be completed before monsoon,” said an official, adding the BMC will not have to bear any additional costs for it as it was already a part of the existing contract. “However, we had asked the contractor to fill the open space land up to a certain level assuming it would help in the landscaping works. RIL requested that it be brought up to a certain level which we will do now via the existing contractors itself who were appointed,” said the official, adding a part of the reclaimed space was also used for median and interchanger construction.Local residents have also been demanding that works begin, as it will be a large open space parcel for the city.The reason only 65 hectares need to be levelled is because portions at the Worli end have already been raised to the required level as they include existing footpaths, and needed to be levelled and couldn’t be kept uneven. “Necessary approvals from the municipal commissioner have been received, and work on soil filling is set to begin shortly,” said an official.RIL will subsequently develop and maintain the open spaces, with plans for gardens, promenades, walking and cycling tracks, and other recreational facilities under a corporate social responsiblity (CSR) initiative, at no cost to the BMC. In Feb, a draft concept plan of the Coastal Road Gardens was unveiled during a meeting held with south Mumbai residents. It was proposed to have amenities and pathways carved out of forested areas, Miyawaki microforest pockets, urban parkland pockets and urban woodland pockets. Further, a maidan at Breach Candy, Confluence Gardens at Mahalaxmi and Sunset View Gallery at Haji Ali. Three attractions are proposed at Worli — Woodlands Art Gallery, Ferries Wheel and Festival Plaza.
