Mumbai civic body blocks entry points at Dadar beach after misuse; vehicles barred from regulated stretch

Concrete barriers put up at one of the entry points to the beach. PIC/Atul Kamble

After more than six months of persistent misuse, a stretch of Dadar beach is finally being reclaimed. BMC G North ward officials installed concrete blocks at two of the three entry points on Monday, following a mid-day report on April 20 that highlighted unauthorised vehicles accessing and parking in the Intertidal Coastal Regulated Zone 1 (CRZ-1B).

According to the residents, since last Ganesh Chaturthi, when the blockades at the three entry points were removed, the beach has been affected due to unauthorised vehicle access.

The misuse due to lack of entry barriers included vehicles using the beach as an alternative road route, a racing arena, use of the space as a construction materials godown and as a parking lot. With the reinstallation of blockades, the issues caused by vehicle entries could finally come to an end.

Why one entry point left open?

"The entry point to the beach at Pandurang Naik Marg was not closed in a similar way to the other two, using concrete blocks, as the point is supposed to be blocked using movable barricades that can be unlocked and opened. This arrangement has been in place for years to allow occasional passage for authorised maintenance vehicles of the civic body, and VIP movement near Shivaji Park. The point should be blocked with this specific barricading soon," said a local resident requesting anonymity.

Residents Speak

Vaibhav Rege, Secretary, Shivaji Maharaj Park Residents ALM
‘Entry points on two lanes have been blocked, and the BMC should take care of the third one soon. Dadar beach, which is now only a small stretch of sand, should not be misused by contractors or as parking space. The barricades that are now put up should remain until the Ganpati festival, and post that, should be immediately put back by BMC.'

Tasneem Shukul, Secretary, Pandurang Naik Marg Residents Association
‘Two of the three entry points were blocked by cement blocks on Monday; and I have been told by a BMC G North ward official that the third entry point, which is on Pandurang Naik Marg, will be blocked using bollards today.'