Global studies show that the more beautiful a city is, the more successful it is at attracting projects, jobs and new residents, including highly educated and affluent ones. This is the rationale behind CM Eknath Shinde’s plan for a state-wide city beautification plan in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's `Swachha’ drive.
Shining examples
Mumbai has already shown how private enterprise and public participation can lead to wonderful transformation of small parcels of land; the Priyadarshini park and the Amarsons garden in South Mumbai to name two. Who would believe that the garden behind Goregaon`s InOrbit mall, as good as any in Singapore, was the Chincholi Bunder dumping ground or that the Jogger`s Park and Band Stand promenade in Bandra were rocky patches abutting the road.
Mangroves are showcased as nature`s wonders in other countries with ticketed tours. A beginning has been made here by declaring the Airoli mangroves in Navi Mumbai as a Flamingo sanctuary.
Holding ponds
Navi Mumbai’s holding ponds have become the centre of social activity, thanks to the vision of the civic administration. The one at Nerul is a showpiece garden called the Jewel of Navi Mumbai. The one at Vashi is called the Mini Seashore and is frequented by walkers, strollers and young couples in the morning and the evening.
Under the flyover
The Matunga flyover on the Babasaheb Ambedkar Road had become the haunt of hawkers, gamblers and, drug addicts. Local residents galvanized support from civic authorities and raised resources to create a unique garden modelled on the Narmada river. The 600-metre pathway is blue in colour with a replication of rock formations as found on the banks of river Narmada.
The lake city
In the CM’s own home turf, there is a sincere attempt to enhance the beauty of Thane’s lakes such as Kacharali, Makhmali, Railadevi and Brahamala.
The biggest of them, Masunda, is right at the heart of the city. The beautiful tree-lined promenade around the lake is the favourite hangout of the young and the old with children enjoying boating and the thrilling walk on the glass-bottomed bridge.
The Upvan lake near the hills is a lovers’ paradise. Of late, renovation and beautification carried out by the TMC under the Smart City projects through by the UDD have added to their beauty, transforming them into cultural hubs.
Fort circuit
There are plans to give Mumbai a fort circuit after the bastions at Bandra, Worli, Shivdi, Mahim, Dharavi and the Saint George’s Fort are restored and developed as sites where cultural events can be held. The forts will get a light-and-sound show detailing the history of Mumbai, which can be accessed using a mobile app.
Beginning from the street
CM Shinde now wants the beautification to reach each and every part of the urban landscape. Some of the main initiatives are:
- The unclean parts of the city will be identified and spruced up.
- The main traffic junctions will be beautified with art installations and murals with social messages.
- Traffic islands at selected spots will be prettified.
- Shrubs and flowers will be planted on the dividers.
- Walls along arterial roads will have theme-based paintings.
- Flyovers, subways and foot overbridges will have street art on them.
The CM has urged institutions of learning, commercial entities, social organizations as well as architects, artists and concerned citizens to add their might to the drive which aims to give a facelift to our cities and towns.
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