Rare 1923 photo of the making of Bombay’s (Mumbai) famous Marine Drive. The photograph gives two panoramic views of the work in progress. Regarding the Bombay Reclamation Scheme, also known as the Back Bay Reclamation Scheme. That took place on the western side of the city. Constructing Bombay’s famous Marine Drive and its sea wall was part of this scheme. The railway locomotives, one which is shown carrying rocks.
The gantry crane on the rails is used to place large stones on the seaside, and the machinery used is for mixing concrete. In 1920 a huge government loan was floated. Marine Drive was first conceived at this time and was supposed to run down the whole sweep of the new western foreshore. But in fact, only a fraction of it was achieved and much remained undone for many years. Marine Drive was known as the Kennedy Sea Face around 1915, named after John Pitt Kennedy. A British engineer who designed it. It was said to have been completed later than the 1940s. Click on the photo for better view.
Read more The reclamation of Mumbai – from the sea, and its people.
Did you know – “Ocean Way” as Marine Drive was first designated to be called was the last gift of the British to Bombay.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894., Panoramic View of Cochin Harbour & Port Office, 1948., British India Era Social Life In Madras & Poona, Old 1910 Print., Old Book 1895 – The English in India (1700-1805).
