Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 3: The 450-metre stretch of the Nethravati riverfront promenade in Mangaluru is set to be opened to the public later this month, marking the first major milestone in the city’s ambitious waterfront development project.

Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) has been working on the riverfront plan for nearly five years. The full project covers 2.1 km from the Nethravati bridge, based on a detailed project report prepared in 2020. According to MSCL general manager (technical) Arun Prabha K S, construction has advanced significantly along the entire length, as quoted by the Times of India.

He said the objective is to turn the Nethravati riverbank into a scenic recreational hub while keeping the natural landscape intact. “We have preserved the environment and added more greenery to enhance the experience,” he said, adding that a 300-metre stretch of hardscaping is still pending.

The portion between the Nethravati railway bridge and Morgan Gate is fully developed with softscaping, including landscaped areas and walking paths.

The completed 450-metre segment includes a birdwatching zone by the riverside, an open-air theatre, a laterite-and-brick walkway, a children’s play area, an open-air gym, dedicated art space and a tree house. MSCL is also planning to introduce boating and water sports through a private operator.

The inauguration of the promenade is expected to coincide with the opening of the nearly finished railway underbridge at Mahakalipadpu, providing both recreational and connectivity benefits for the locality.

While the project earlier carried an allocation of Rs 70 crore, the revised estimate has been brought down to Rs 32 crore. MSCL has spent about Rs 16 crore so far.