Mumbai, the financial capital of India and home to Bollywood dreams, is also a popular tourist destination with many historical and cultural sites to explore. And now, the city has added another jewel to its crown in the form of a new viewing deck in Dadar. The structure extends over Dadar Beach near Chaityabhoomi and offers an uninterrupted and fascinating view of the Arabian Sea and Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Read on to know why it is one of the top places to visit in Mumbai and should be a part of your itinerary when you visit this bustling city next.
All You Need to Know about the Viewing Deck
The viewing deck was inaugurated by the state’s Environment Minister, Mr Aditya Thackeray, on 9thFebruary 2022. Since it is situated near Buddhist Chaitya and the cremation place of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Maharashtra government has proposed to name it as Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Smriti, after the wife of Dr Ambedkar. The deck was reportedly built as a tourist attraction by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) over a non-functioning stormwater drain outfall. It is spread across an area of 1500 square metres and is strategically positioned at a height of 16 feet above the shore to offer mesmerising views of the Arabian Sea and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Being 24 metres long and 20 metres wide, the viewing deck can accommodate about 300 people at a time. It was constructed with the aim to increase open spaces for Mumbaikars and to strengthen the drain outfall for those interested in clicking selfies and photos of Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The deck has seating arrangements (26 benches) for around 100 people and ramps for the differently abled and elderly. Ornamental lights and plants add to the beauty of this structure and make it a perfect attraction by the sea.
Tourists and Mumbaikars can visit the deck anytime between 6 AM and 10 PM. The viewing deck is a perfect place to socialise by the sea, in a scenic and serene setting. The Maharashtra government is also planning to develop 40 more similar decks around the city.
Shopping Places Near the Viewing Deck
Mumbai is a paradise for shoppers with plenty of local stores, shopping centres and high-end malls to explore. If you are staying in one of the hotels in Mumbai’s Dadar area to be close to the viewing deck, you can head to these places for some retail therapy:
- Paaneri EXIM Pvt Ltd. (1 km)
- Nakshatra Mall (2 km)
- Suvidha Fashion (2 km)
- Manish Market (2 km)
- Bharatkshetra Saree Shop (3 km)
- Lifestyle Stores (4 km)
- Palladium Mall (5 km)
- Link Square Mall (5 km)
- Linking Road Shopping Centre (6 km)
- Phoenix Marketcity Mall (11 km)
Besides shopping, you can also enjoy different cuisines in the restaurants in Mumbai. Some popular options in the vicinity are Terttulia Eat Drink Love, Tanatan Shivaji Park Restaurant, Gomantak Boarding House, Apoorva Delicacies, Visawa Restaurant, Ronaldo’s Family Restaurant, Pritam Da Dhaba, Angrezi Dhaba and Rashtriya Veg Restaurant.
Places to Visit Near the Viewing Deck
There are many amazing places to visit in Mumbai near the newly constructed viewing deck, such as:
- Veer Baji Prabhu Udyan (16 m)
- Shree Udyan Ganesh Mandir (800 m)
- Mahim Beach (1 km)
- Shri Siddhi Vinayak Ganapati Mandir (1 km)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park (2 km)
- Mancherji Joshi Five Gardens (2 km)
- Mahim Fort (2 km)
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (3 km)
- Bandra-Worli Sea Link (5 km)
- Bandra Fort (7 km)
- Haji Ali Dargah (7 km)
How to Reach the Viewing Deck
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is about 13 km from the viewing deck in Dadar, while Mumbai Central is 8 km away. You can easily take a bus, taxi or metro train from the airport or railway station to reach one of the budget hotels in Mumbai’s Dadar area. Being a developed locality, Dadar is well-connected to other parts of the city via public transport. Dadar Metro Station is at 700 m from the viewing deck and the bus stand is about 2 km away. BEST buses connect Dadar to other parts of the city. You can also take the local train from Dadar Railway Station, which is less than 2 km away.
So, get ready for some unforgettable views if you are packing your bags for Mumbai. Click beautiful photos from the viewing deck while you feel the wind in your hair!
