The Bombay Back Bay Reclamation Scheme During The British Era, 1925 Print
This is a rare set of four pages from the 1925 edition of Engineering, a prestigious London-based engineering newspaper. The pages feature a detailed and illustrated report on the Bombay Back Bay Reclamation Scheme during the British era, one of the most ambitious urban engineering projects. The report documents the progress of the reclamation works along the western seafront of Bombay (Mumbai).
Providing valuable insight into early 20th-century civil engineering practices under British rule. Richly illustrated with rare pictures, the article showcases the machinery, methods, and scale of the operation, making it a significant historical record. The sections provide an account of the ongoing work, depicting the machinery and operations in progress.
Marine Drive and its promenade were part of the Bombay Back Bay Reclamation Scheme. The BB&CI headquarters building (Western Railway) was built on this new reclaimed land. The reclaimed land also became the site for the famous Art Deco buildings that line Marine Drive. However, the scheme became a subject of public debate and controversy due to its high cost, poor execution, and lack of transparency.
Read more Story of cities #11: the reclamation of Mumbai – from the sea, and its people?
Did you know – this is probably the first time suction dredgers were used for reclamation work in Bombay.
Past posts – The First Oleograph Published By The Ravi Varma Press In 1894.
