Mumbai: The official Bhoomi Pujan for the Coastal Road gardens is scheduled for later this month, with Maharashtra Chief Minister expected to attend. Residents of Breach Candy and surrounding areas are expressing worries regarding the potential effects of the planned attractions on local traffic, parking, and pedestrian movement.
Residents who have already done an internal analysis of the master plan of the gardens said the scale and variety of attractions could draw significant visitor footfall to the area, potentially putting additional pressure on existing roads and parking spaces. It cannot simply absorb additional Coastal Gardens traffic through three proposed street-side entries,” said a core member of the Breach Candy Residents Forum. “Continuous dialogue, meaningful engagement and collaboration between citizens and the administration are essential to building a healthy and effective partnership,” she said. Nigum Lakhani, another Breach Candy resident, said the meeting was held to make residents aware of ongoing and upcoming developments in the neighbourhood, particularly the Coastal Road gardens and the attractions planned.
“Bhulabhai Desai Road is already operating above capacity, serving a dense mixed-use neighbourhood with high-footfall destinations including hospitals, schools, auditoriums and the Mahalaxmi Temple. Nandini Chabria, a BCRF member emphasised that decisions affecting a neighbourhood must be made in consultation with the local residents and cannot be taken in isolation.