Mumbai Mirror

Tetrapods are being put up to stop waves from pounding the shore as part of a beautification project
 
Mumbai, Jul 13: Getting drenched by giant sea waves hitting the promenade is one of most popular photo-op moments in the city. But this will probably be the last monsoon people can indulge in this spectacle at the Worli seaface because the state Public Works Department (PWD) is putting tetrapods off the promenade to prevent the waves from reaching the shore as part of a larger beautification project.

Once the tetrapods are in place, the existing wall that protects the promenade will be strengthened and the breaches filled. As part of the process, the protective wall will be rebuilt with cement, concrete and steel. A PWD engineer said work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2008 and it is estimated to cost Rs 5 crore. However, several people and government bodies had reservations about the beautification project.

Local MLA Sachin Ahir said, “Our aim is to transform the seaface into something like the Queen’s Necklace at Marine Drive, but despite a large number of MLAs, MPs, IAS and IPS officers staying in the area, it took three years to convince officials.” These included those in the state Maritime Board, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and PWD.

Some local residents too had reservations about the beautification project.

Supporters of the project suffered setbacks because three guardian ministers of the city and two municipal commissioners changed while they were trying to persuade various authorities to approve the project.