Community projects can help transform city

Mahim Koliwada Sea Food Plaza. Pic/Atul Kamble

The first seafood plaza at Mahim beach has been a hit and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now working on launching a boat ride between Worli and Mahim. Civic officials believe that this initiative will enhance the tourist attraction quotient in both spots.

The BMC inaugurated the city's first seafood plaza on the seafront in Mahim Koliwada in November last year. Within just three months, the plaza has had 30,000 visitors, reports said. This concept not only promotes tourism but also provides income opportunities for locals. Hearteningly, the food plazas are operated by local self-help groups, officials added.

We want to see more such efforts between the BMC and people where community projects give returns to the people and transform the city's landscape aesthetically too.

Mumbai has a history that can be exploited and fisherfolk have avenues for entrepreneurship. They can keep their foot in the old world and be in sync with modern modes of work. The plaza is a doff of the hat to capitalising on unique cuisine and tweaking it in an appealing way.

The plaza should be kept clean; ensuring hygiene must be a priority. The city can look at other such plazas. The boat ride needs to be envisioned with safety taking pride of place. Accessible, affordable and exemplary, the service must offer clean boats. There should be a good ticketing system. Facilities for entering and exiting the boat, should be spot-on and top-class. Expert navigation, life vests for every passenger, clear announcement systems should be part of the entire infra. The entire exercise must come together seamlessly.

Overall, it is always good to increase the number of tourist attractions Mumbai offers visitors. Here is to plaza power forging a new path in culinary tourism.