Flowers at Dadar, fish at Mahim
Shalini Nair | TNN

Mumbai: A series of theme parks built around concepts linked to the social
and cultural heritage of neighbourhoods is being planned by the BMC as part
of an ambitious new project to upgrade open spaces in the city. These parks
will come up mainly at pumping stations and reservoirs, plots of land that
are only being partially used by the civic authorities.

With a generous budget of Rs 400 crore to maintain open spaces, the BMC
has hired consultants to draw up the plans. The first six sites chosen are
Powai, Dadar, Mahim, Mazgaon, Andheri (east) and Colaba. The Powai
aquatic-themed garden, the largest and most expensive in the proposed theme
park series, is already under construction. Going by the local culture
principle, Dadar is to have a flower garden-to go with the bustling flower
market that gives this central hub its special aura.Mahim, which has one of
the last few colonies of fishermen, will have a mock fishing village off the
causeway.

The consultants are trying their best to work with existing structures
and to keep construction to a minimum. Old tanks will therefore be
transformed into lily ponds, and industrial walls will sport murals with
city scenes. Architects have welcomed the idea but warned that execution is
the key. Shoddy construction and poor maintenance will unravel the theme
dream, they caution, but with quality control and imaginative planning,
these new spaces could give Mumbai something that can't be bought even in
the biggest mall.

THEME GARDENS

Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan, Powai: AQUATIC THEME

Dadar Pumping Station:

FLOWER GARDEN

Bhandarwada Hill Reservoir, Mazgaon: MURALS

Mahim pumping station:

FISHING VILLAGE

Colaba Waste-Water Treatment Facility: TO BE DECIDED

Veravali Reservoir, Andheri (east): TO BE DECIDED

Publication:Times of India Mumbai; Date:Aug 19, 2007; Section:Front Page; Page Number:1

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