June 26, 2025: Aiming to promote world-class architectural standards, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a new policy to facilitate the development of “iconic buildings” in Mumbai. On Tuesday, the civic authority issued a notification inviting public suggestions and objections to amend the Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR) 2034 by introducing Regulation 33(27).
This draft proposal follows Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s March announcement about creating iconic landmarks in the city. The new regulation sets out eligibility criteria for structures to be deemed “iconic”, including unique features in design, concept, theme, shape, size, aesthetics or structural innovation.
Under the proposed regulation, purely residential buildings will not qualify. Eligible buildings must ensure at least 40% of the premises are accessible to the public through a paid-entry system, such as viewing galleries or public spaces.
A six-member scrutiny committee will review applications, led by the Municipal Commissioner. It will include renowned experts from architecture, visual arts, and the business sector, along with officials from the Maharashtra Town Planning Department and BMC’s Development Plan department.
Applicants must demonstrate credibility through completed projects with a built-up area of at least 1 million square metres or an annual turnover of Rs 5,000 crore over the past three financial years.
Senior civic officials stated the move aims to enhance Mumbai’s skyline and foster architectural innovation, similar to global cities where iconic towers feature public viewing decks and cultural spaces.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from activists. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta labelled the definition of “iconic” too vague, alleging that the policy could favour select developers. He also flagged concerns over unrestricted Floor Space Index (FSI) bonuses, which could lead to misuse under the guise of premium payments without a clear
cap.Public feedback will be accepted over the next month.
Source: The Indian Express
