New Nariman with plazas,walkways and wide,green open spaces

“Norms specify a minimum of 15 per cent open space in any layout,which Nariman Point does not have. We are working on creating such spaces,opening up the roads and designing a waterfront not only for office-goers but also for those visiting Nariman Point,” said Madhu Vakaria,chairman of the Nariman Point Association.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will be the implementing authority for the project,integrating plans by other government agencies in and around the business district. Proposed projects like the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s passenger water transport plan from Borivli to Nariman Point,the state government’s heliport plan and the PWD’s makeover of the Mantralaya precinct will all be blended with the Nariman Point revitalisation plan.

The PWD’s project will involve razing the rows of ministers’ cottages and building highrises along the periphery. Architect P K Das’s plan aims to merge the freed plot with the Mantralaya garden across the road to form one sprawling circular garden,Central Park. The road will be elevated to create a contiguous open space as large as the Oval Maidan,with walkways from Churchgate Station to offices in Nariman Point.

P K Das said he has proposed ‘pedestrianisation’ of the area. A 1.5-km landscaped pedestrian path called Central Avenue will connect Churchgate Station to Central Park. The path,flanked on either side by office complexes,will lead to a proposed Business Gateway building by the sea. “The building will have space for exhibitions and conferences and celebrate the success story of Indian banking and business. At the other end of Central Avenue,near Mantralaya,will be a monument depicting the success story of Indian democracy,” said Das.

Abutting the business gateway will be a 1.2-km promenade from NCPA in Nariman Point to Budhwar Park at the Colaba end. The rocky seafront will make way for walkways,plazas,a water sports complex,food courts and potential spaces for cultural events.

A proposed art court on the NCPA premises would also be connected to the waterfront. Underground parking lots will be created below the art court,Central Park and other select locations for a total of 1,800 cars.

The government is exploring means to finance the project from the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme on the Budhwar Park-Macchimaar Nagar stretch. “We will raise money from the profit made in that project,” said T C Benjamin,principal secretary,urban development. About Rs 50 crore of the Rs 400-crore profit will be kept as a fixed deposit for maintenance of the precinct.