Mumbai: As part of the ongoing development of Marine Drive-like a 7.5-kms-long promenade, which spans 11 hectares along the Mumbai Coastal Road, the BMC has plans to add a stunning new viewing deck along the walkway.

Located near the iconic Haji Ali, the deck will extend approximately three meters from the walkway. A consultant has been tasked with creating a design that seamlessly integrates the viewing deck with the planned promenade.

The ambitious coastal road project, stretching from Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, has been opened, ensuring smooth traffic flow. The BMC is now focused on the beautification of the 5-hectare median along the arterial road, alongside ongoing work on the promenade.

Additionally, the BMC has received expressions of interest from five firms to develop 70 hectares of open space along the coastal road, with an estimated Rs 400 crore investment through Corporate Social Responsibility. A new elevated viewing deck, featuring seating arrangements for visitors to enjoy stunning sunset views, is also in the pipeline.

"At present, nothing has been finalised. We have instructed the consultant to design the structure, after which we will have a clearer idea and can proceed with the cost estimation and other logistics. Currently, work on the promenade is ongoing, and the viewing deck will only be opened once the walkway is ready," said an official.

The BMC has recently issued a tender for the operation and maintenance of the coastal road for the next five years, with the projected cost of the contract estimated at up to Rs. 85 crores. In 2022, the BMC constructed two viewing decks—one at a stormwater drain outlet in Dadar Chowpatty and another in Girgaon Chowpatty.