Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has commenced public hearings this week on the Revised Draft Development Plan 2041 for the Backbay Reclamation Scheme (BBRS), Blocks III to VI.
As part of the statutory proceedings directed by the Government of Maharashtra under the MR&TP Act, the hearings are meant to review objections and suggestions submitted by citizens and stakeholders concerned about the proposed land use changes.
Environmentalists, urban planners, and local residents are actively participating in the hearings, voicing strong concerns over the ecological and civic impact of the plan.
One of the most vocal groups, the Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens association has submitted a detailed list of objections, questioning the conversion of green spaces to residential plots, inadequate transparency in SRA plot designations, lack of disclosure on total built-up area, and the proposed introduction of a helipad intended for VIP use.
The citizens’ body emphasized that in a densely populated city like Mumbai, open spaces such as gardens and recreational grounds are essential for maintaining the minimum quality of life.
Further objections included the lack of clarity around slum redevelopment proposals, non-disclosure of existing tree cover, and the environmental implications of large-scale development in green zones.
The trust also called for a 30-working-day extension to the public consultation window, pointing out that the original timeframe was shortened due to holidays and lacked adequate visibility.
“Open spaces in Mumbai are not just amenities, they are necessities,” said the asssociation. “Any plan that proposes to reduce public green cover or prioritizes elite infrastructure over public good must be thoroughly scrutinized, and full transparency is essential for fair and informed civic participation.”
Another activist named Zoru Bhathena also raised strong objection over seven green plots into a non green plots. Bhathena particularly objected to the conversion of precious green spaces into utility, commercial, or residential zones.
Among the most contentious proposals are those concerning a Plot , where a semi-circular garden is proposed to be repurposed for a council hall extension and 500-car parking facility, which are designated green playgrounds that could be lost to commercial metro-related infrastructure.
Bhathena argued that with the introduction of a Metro station at Vidhan Bhavan specifically designed to reduce vehicular traffic, the need for additional parking is moot, and green spaces should not be sacrificed for outdated infrastructure priorities.
Further concerns were raised over road-widening plans on Captain Prakash Pethe Marg. The objections underscore that many of these plots lie within Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) and are classified as No Development Zones (NDZ), where any construction would be in violation of environmental safeguards.
Residents have urged authorities to uphold previous commitments to restore green areas post-Metro construction and avoid permanent encroachments or changes that degrade Mumbai’s already strained urban ecology.
“Every tree, every garden, and every inch of open space matters in a city like Mumbai,” said Bhathena. “You cannot claim to build a sustainable, world-class city while silently erasing its last few green lungs.”
The revision of the Development Plan (DP) for the Back Bay Reclamation Scheme (BBRS), covering Blocks III to VI is Spread across approximately 237.02 hectares in South Mumbai’s A-Ward, the BBRS area has a long and complex planning history dating back to its original proposal in 1920.
Over the decades, multiple committees and planning authorities have shaped its development, with partial reclamations carried out and later halted due to policy decisions. However, the abrupt freezing of reclamation activities in 1978 led to several challenges, including irregular shoreline profiles and unauthorised dumping.
Recognising the need to address these longstanding issues and modernise the planning framework, the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), through a notification dated March 20, 2023, directed MMRDA to undertake statutory planning functions under Sections 23 to 30 of the MR&TP Act, 1966.
This directive followed the GoM's earlier decision to withdraw MMRDA’s role as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) in 2022 and transfer jurisdiction of the area to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
MMRDA, in its 155th meeting held on December 12, 2023, formally resolved to empower the Metropolitan Commissioner to carry out the statutory process and submit the revised Draft Development Plan for the BBRS area—now renamed as the Development Plan 2041—for government approval. This marks a key step toward comprehensive and sustainable redevelopment of one of Mumbai’s most strategically located coastal areas.
