Mumbai: Cleaned, beautified Mahim beach awaits visitors

The new viewing tower installed at the beach offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea

The beautified Mahim beach was inaugurated on Thursday by Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. The environmental damage caused to the beach due to illegal activities was cleaned up. The new attractions at the beach now include a 30-metre high viewing tower that offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea, including the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

The beach was beautified in an environmentally friendly manner by the G North ward office and spearheaded by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar, at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

Another attraction at the beach. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar

After the illegal hut dwellers were moved to alternative accommodations, the garbage on the beach as well as unwanted stones, etc., were removed and it was cleaned. Considering the erosion on the shore, sand has been spread up to a height of 5 feet on the entire beach. The sand was taken from the Mumbai Coastal Road project and thus did not impose a separate financial burden on the corporation. Many trees, including Suru, chafa and bamboo, have been planted on the beach. Exercise and gym equipment have also been installed for citizens to use.

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Tar balls wash up at Juhu

Once again, huge tar balls have washed ashore Juhu beach, highlighting the fact that pollution in the sea poses a threat to the marine ecosystem. Dead marine animals, sea snakes and fish have also washed ashore.

BMC workers clean the beach of tar balls. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Environmentalist Reagan Creado on Thursday morning said he spotted two dead marine animals, and sea snakes and fish. Creado told mid-day, "This morning, Juhu beach was full of coconut-sized tar balls. The BMC workers were doing their best to clean up the place." - Ranjeet Jadhav