Mumbai: Union Shipping and Ports Minister, Nitin Gadkari has announced that the Mumbai Port Trust will create the world’s largest garden in central Mumbai by reclaiming land.
Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony of Rs 300-crore international cruise terminal in Mumbai, Nitin Gadkari Said, “The proposal was already a part of the city’s development plan.” He requested Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, to use his special privileges to clear it.
He further added, “In order to carry out a slew of citizen-centric activities, as part of the eastern waterfront project, it was necessary to accord the status of a special planning authority (SPA) to the MbPT.”
Devendra Fadnavis who was also present on the occasion, declared that his government would grant the status to the MbPT.
Sanjay Bhatia, MbPT chairman said, “The proposed garden would be spread over 300 acres, bigger than Hyde Park in London. It will require 80 hectares or around 200 acres of land reclamation, which will be carried out after environmental clearances are received.”
The MbPT is one of the oldest ports in the country, is carrying out works of over Rs 10,000 crores, for the benefit of the local community and trade. It can be noted that MbPT is the biggest land owner in the city and hence want to create open spaces in the space-starved city, by using the land under its control as part of the eastern seafront project.