Civic body plans ₹1.26-crore facelift for Mahim beach

MUMBAI: In yet another beach beautification plan, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to give Mahim beach a makeover, just like it did for Juhu beach last year. The proposal, which is expected to cost around ₹1.26 crore, will be tabled at the standing committee on Wednesday.

The beautification plan includes colourful illumination, landscaping, plantations, setting up gardens and play areas for children and open-air gymnasiums. According to the plan, one of the main focuses is to install decorative lights on the beach.

A senior official from BMC, on the request of anonymity, said, “The lights are not exactly like the ones at Juhu beach. These are decorative LED bulbs that will be installed along the beach and pathways.”

The civic body earlier rolled out a plan for beautifying five beaches in the city — Girgaum, Mahim, Juhu, Dadar and Gorai — based on their surrounding locality. However, it later dropped the plan because it wanted minimum construction along the coastal zone.

Last year, BMC installed lights at Juhu beach which create the illusion of sailboats in the seawater. MUMBAI: Marketing can help explore the economic potential of Kumbh Mela and give a boost to its infrastructure, said experts who participated in a panel discussion in the city, ahead of the 55-day Kumbh Mela that begins in Allahabad on Tuesday.

Among those present at Monday’s discussion, Chalo Kumbh Chalein, led by Sachin Kalbag, executive editor, Hindustan Times, were Ravindra Dhurjad, senior manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), and Deepa Krishnan, director, Magic Tours of India.

The Uttar Pradesh government has spent almost ₹4,000 crore on the arrangements, double of the budget for the last Kumbh Mela in 2013.

The panellists said the event needs to be managed better, to provide a secure environment to foreign and domestic tourists.