City beaches need to be clean, for viewing

The deck is built at a height of 10 feet from the sea and is supported by 26 pillars. Pics/Shadab Khan

A viewing deck made a Dadar debut on February 9. The viewing deck, near the Chaityabhoomi landmark at Dadar-Shivaji Park, aims to give people a bird's eye view of the beach and beyond. The deck has been made over a non-functioning stormwater drain outfall. It has been decorated with plants and lights. Aaditya Thackeray has said on social media that efforts are being made to transform open spaces for citizens. Several reports have stated that there are plans for other viewing decks in the city.

Viewing decks may be a good addition in a city which has little by way of public spaces to enjoy. We have to take heed of the authorities who say that we must preserve the deck and see that we do not vandalise it soon. That is surely a given.

While appreciating the initiative, we must stress that these viewing decks must give citizens a good, clean city to look at. While the skyline in the distance may look magnificent, it is little use if rubbish is littered on the beaches. It will be pathetic to use mounds of debris on our beaches below these decks. Our clean up warriors who work for beaches have recounted time ‘n' again that they are doing beach clean-ups only to haul up the same amount of plastic and debris from the water and even rubbish on the sands again.

What we also need to do is to have a view that is worth looking at. That can only happen when the surroundings are clean and tidy. The city has its natural beauty but it is marred by the way we defile it by dirtying the spaces around.

Let us be worthy of these viewing decks which are both for visitors and locals. When we take to the deck, we should see beauty but most importantly absolute cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation that point to a disciplined city and people proud of their metropolis.