Soon, Mumbai To Get Its First Beach Boardwalk From Juhu To Versova!

Though the epitome of many cosmopolitan ideals, and the sought after destination for many a dreamer, the idea of Mumbai being called a beach destination is in a word - laughable. Yet somehow, a wander down Juhu beach on a sunny day will prove that for many, this is in fact the case. Most days the grimy expanse is packed to the seams and finding a quiet spot is close to impossible, however just a few kilometres away, the newly renovated Versova beach lies pristine and peaceful.

Soon however travelling between the two will mean nothing more than a short seaside stroll as the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) plans to create a broadwalk joining the two stretches of coast. The boardwalk will traverse the stretch of mangroves and the creek that currently separates the beaches and will play host to a myriad of tourist attractions. Restaurants, enclosures for water sports and a sports arena for beach cricket, football, volleyball and kabbadi are all attempts to divert extra traffic from the beachfront itself and prevent unnecessary encroachment.

This move is part of a beautification project by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) who had previously split the Andheri stretch into two beaches - Versova and Andheri West beach - in the hope of developing the former into a water sports hub. As BJP legislator Ameet Satam puts it “This will be the best beach in the city. The boardwalk plan has just been cleared by the authorities. It will be one of its kind in the country. The MTDC has appointed noted architect PK Das as a consultant and if all goes to plan by next year we’ll be able to see the transformation of this once pitiful stretch of sand into a buzzing and beautiful hub of tourism and water activities.

Though yet again we’re a little taken aback by its 28 crore price tag and more than a little certain that there are other places this money may be redistributed we have to appreciate their efforts. Perhaps a new tactic in the name of the game and refortifying India’s infrastructure pans out as an economic boon for our future. Whichever way this cookie crumbles, it will be nice to experience a Mumbai seafront that isn’t a blight on the beauty of the potential of the city.