Mumbai: Residents oppose "World Heritage Site" proposal for Marine Drive
What's the story
Mumbai's Marine Drive "Heritage" precinct has been nominated by the government to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. A UNESCO team would reportedly visit Mumbai this week and compile a report on Marine Drive precinct's nomination. However, residents are opposing the move saying neither the government nor the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation consulted them before proposing the tag for Marine Drive. Find out why!
Marine Drive Residents
Marine Drive's fate being decided without consulting primary stakeholders
Authorities are deciding the fate of Marine Drive's 37 buildings without consulting residents, the primary stakeholders. Residents questioned the premise for the nomination saying most of the old buildings came up only in 1940-50s. Declaring the area a World Heritage Site would affect development, and redevelopment of buildings in poor condition. Many buildings are in "dire need" of redevelopment, as they aren't even earthquake-resistant.
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There's nothing "heritage" in Marine Drive: Colaba MLA Raj Purohit
Purohit said: "When residents in the suburbs get higher FSI (floor-space-index) and are allowed to redevelop, then why should residents of Marine Drive suffer? I am ready to sit with the authorities along with the residents and have a meeting to sort out this problem."