I’m sure majority of the people in Mumbai have at some point in their life, spent time at Marine Drive. This chaotic yet serene place has some pixie dust spread on the entire stretch which just creates a magical vibe. When you speak about Mumbai and its roads, this road will always stand out. Sipping on some hot chai and just staring into the ocean, in a cross-legged posture, is a common sight but this iconic road has a lot more to it. Let’s look at the origin and a few facts associated with it.
It’s a 3.6 km long road in the heart of South Mumbai linking Nariman Point to Babulnath and Malabar Hill. The famous Art Deco, buildings, however, run only along about one-third of the drive; after them come the gymkhanas with their open cricket fields, followed by a recently renovated aquarium, a modern tower block that is a hostel for female students, and at the far end, Wilson College, built in 1889 in the Victorian Gothic style.
The six-lane concrete road was constructed by philanthropists Bhagojisheth Keer & Pallonji Mistry and is officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road but is rarely addressed with that name. Next time, just say you want to go for a drive at ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road’ and confuse your friends.
It is situated on reclaimed land facing west-southwest. A promenade lies parallel to this road.
Marine Drive was part of the great revival as the metropolis transitioned from its 19th-century fort ramparts to a modern city in the 1860s during the tenure of British Governor Sir Bartle Frere. In the rebuilding process, the city was blessed with two great architectural styles — the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco.
If viewed at night from an elevated point anywhere along the road, the street lights resemble a string of pearls in a necklace (duh!)
In 2015, Marine Drive completed 100 years of existence and was formerly known as Kennedy Road and Marine Drive owes its existence to land reclamation and profiteering.
This road will always hold a special spot in our hearts and we’ll never get tired of heading there for a late night drive and staring into infinity, absorbing the enigmatic energy that spot has to offer.
Also Read: Mahim's L.J. Road
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