Update: Parsi Gate – Coastal Road Project
As per some of the latest news reports, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reviewing an alternative plan for the construction of a ramp for an underground tunnel in the ongoing coastal road project, and has reserved a spot just where the Parsi Gate structure stands at the Marine Drive.
In January community members had met with Municipal Chief – Iqbal Singh Chahal to propose an alternate design for the ramp of the tunnel, according to which, the proposed tunnel could be constructed in the middle of the road, instead of building on the outer edges. This way it would save the century-old Parsi Gate structure from having to be relocated.
As per Chahal’s instructions, the coastal road project’s technical team, led by Chief Engineer – Vijay Nighot held a meeting with a delegation of community members led by Municipal Corporator – Harshita Narwekar. In this meeting, which lasted over two hours, a presentation of the alternate design was made for the civic authorities to acknowledge. The architect of the new alternative design, Alan Abraham, said that the idea was to not shift the tunnel but build the ramp on the middle of the road, instead of building it on the outer edges, thus proving potentially safer. The main concern he voiced was for the work to be initiated in a proper way, so that building the ramp in the middle of the road would not affect the view of the seascape.
The meeting seems to have ended on a positive note and the officials gave a patient hearing. Feedback is awaited. Senior officials of the civic body shared that they were reviewing the proposed plan and were hopeful that a joint decision would soon be taken.
