The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday conducted a public hearing to review objections to a proposal seeking to remove existing public utility reservations from a plot in Malabar Hill and redesignate it for residential use under the Development Plan (DP) 2034.
The civic body had invited objections and suggestions from the public two months ago regarding the plan. The proposal involves eliminating the existing reservation for electricity transmission and distribution facilities as well as a Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) bus facility on a 2,475.07 square metre plot located at Cumballa Hill in Malabar Hill.
At present, the land is marked as a public amenity site in the sanctioned development plan. However, the revised proposal aims to remove these reservations and reclassify the plot as a residential zone.
During the hearing, RTI activist Anil Galgali strongly opposed the move and urged the civic authorities to withdraw the proposal entirely. He argued that the land falls within the scope of the Prohibited Zone Act, 1923, and warned that altering its land-use classification or deleting reservations in such a sensitive zone could face legal complications.
Galgali also raised concerns about safety and infrastructure implications if the proposed change is implemented.
Highlighting the importance of the electricity infrastructure located on the site, he noted that the 33 kV receiving station plays a crucial role in maintaining power supply and responding to emergencies.
“During floods, fires, terrorist threats, or natural disasters, uninterrupted access to this installation is crucial. Any dilution of its status could severely affect power restoration timelines,” he said.
Senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) were present at the hearing to review the objections raised by citizens and stakeholders.
The proposal has sparked debate among urban planners and residents, who say that any alteration in land-use planning in sensitive or protected zones must be evaluated carefully. Authorities are expected to review the objections submitted during the hearing before taking a final decision on the proposed rezoning.
Source: The Free Press Journal
