The recently announced Haji Ali Improvement Plan aims to enhance accessibility and safety at Mumbai's iconic Haji Ali shrine. Managed by the Public Works Department (PWD), the first phase will focus on strengthening the existing pathway to the shrine, which usually becomes inaccessible during high tide. The pathway will be widened and elevated by 1.5 metres above high tide levels, with stonework and safety railings added to ensure stability and security. The project's first phase costs INR 20.10 crore, with a one-year completion timeline. Future phases, led by the BMC and MMRDA, will include beautification, parking improvements, and facilities for hawkers and visitors.
The Haji Ali Improvement Plan is set to enhance both accessibility and safety at one of Mumbai's most cherished pilgrimage sites. The initiative encompasses functional upgrades and beautification efforts aimed at accommodating the thousands of visitors who come to pay their respects at the shrine.
As noted by a Public Works Department (PWD) official, the harbour division of the department is managing the project, which will concentrate on strengthening the existing pathway to the shrine, often rendered inaccessible during high tide. The first phase of the project focuses on improving the existing five-metre-high pathway leading to the Haji Ali shrine. The official highlighted that the PWD's primary concern is to reinforce the current pathway, which includes widening it and increasing its height by 1.5 metres above the high tide level.
This initial phase will also involve stonework to enhance the path's structure, ensuring it can withstand environmental pressures. Additionally, safety railings will be installed, and the pathway will be illuminated to improve both security and accessibility.
The total cost for Phase 1 is estimated at INR 20.10 crore, with tenders already invited and a proposal submitted to the central Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance. Funding for this phase has received approval from the city collector, with a projected completion timeline of twelve months.
While the PWD concentrates on the structural elements, the beautification of the area will be overseen by the coastal road department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in collaboration with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This effort will form part of the subsequent phases of the project. The PWD official explained that Phase 2 will focus on beautification, Phase 3 will enhance parking facilities, and Phase 4 will reorganise and provide amenities for hawkers and pilgrims.
Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah has been appointed as a consultant for the project. Her responsibilities include supervising design elements that ensure the pathway meets functional needs while aligning with the site's historical and cultural significance. Lambah remarked that the construction of the coastal road has raised the Haji Ali pedestrian underpass, which requires an increase in the pathway's height to maintain accessibility.
She stated that the entire pathway will be widened and elevated to match the level of the underpass, allowing it to serve as an all-day route for pilgrims, unaffected by the tides. Previously, high tide made access to the shrine difficult for devotees.
Lambah's design also includes plans for visitor facilities along the pathway, with protective railings to ensure safety. The raised pathway, spanning 95 feet in length, will guarantee that devotees can comfortably reach the shrine at any time of the day, regardless of tidal conditions.
The Haji Ali Improvement Plan represents a significant step towards improving the pilgrimage experience for thousands of devotees. By reinforcing the existing pathway and implementing safety measures, the initiative not only addresses current accessibility issues but also preserves the cultural significance of the site. With careful planning and collaboration among various departments, the project promises to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all visitors, ensuring that the Haji Ali shrine remains a cherished destination for generations to come.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
