The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated plans to redevelop the Powai Lake promenade, proposing the appointment of AECOM Asia Company Limited as a consultant to prepare a comprehensive master plan for Rs 1.85 crore. The proposal, which seeks exemption from the public tendering process, aims to revive the lakefront after years of limited maintenance and growing infrastructure-related challenges.
The 1.8-kilometre promenade, located along Adi Shankaracharya Marg (JVLR) between the Ganesh Ghat and Pawar Wadi immersion points, was developed nearly two decades ago. Since its completion in 2008, the lakeside stretch has seen minimal upgrades despite increasing public use and changing urban requirements.
Powai Lake, spread across 223 hectares with a catchment area of 6.61 square kilometres, is among Mumbai’s significant urban water bodies. In recent years, sections of the promenade have been affected by major infrastructure works, including metro-related construction and the installation of underground sewage pipelines. Damage to portions of the walkway has led to repeated complaints from residents and local representatives, prompting the civic body to accelerate redevelopment plans.
The proposed initiative forms part of a larger vision to transform Powai Lake into a vibrant and financially sustainable public destination. A proposal placed before the Standing Committee seeks approval for the consultant’s appointment for a four-month period, during which detailed designs, redevelopment strategies and implementation plans will be prepared.
At the same time, BMC officials have highlighted the need to balance public infrastructure improvements with environmental conservation. Officials said, “Any redevelopment along the lake’s edge must strike a balance between public infrastructure and ecological preservation, ensuring that aquatic life and biodiversity are not adversely affected.”
To expedite the project, the civic body has recommended appointing AECOM directly, citing the firm’s specialised expertise in waterfront planning. The consultant will be responsible for preparing a redevelopment blueprint, conducting stakeholder consultations and submitting cost estimates within four months, paving the way for the long-awaited transformation of the Powai Lake promenade.
Source: The Free Press Journal
