The Supreme Court has cleared the way for further progress on the development of the 130-acre waterfront public space created as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road South project by directing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to examine Reliance Industries’ master layout plan. The decision removes a key procedural obstacle that had delayed approvals related to recreational facilities and supporting infrastructure on the reclaimed land.
The directive came after Reliance Industries approached the court seeking clarity on the status of its revised layout proposal, which had remained pending despite being placed before civic authorities. The reclaimed waterfront is expected to become one of Mumbai’s largest public open spaces along the coastline.
In 2025, the BMC appointed Reliance Industries to undertake landscaping and long-term maintenance of the site under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The company informed the court that uncertainty regarding approvals for certain ancillary and ticketed facilities had slowed implementation of the project.
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar noted that while the revised layout had been discussed by the BMC’s landscaping committee, further action had stalled because of concerns over whether Supreme Court approval was required. The court subsequently instructed the civic body to consider the proposal in line with directions issued earlier this year.
During the hearing, Reliance Industries stated that the vast majority of the reclaimed land would remain freely accessible to the public. The proposed development includes promenades, landscaped gardens, parks, jogging tracks, cycling paths and other recreational amenities. The company also informed the court that a small section of the project would feature ticketed attractions to help fund maintenance and operational costs. The Supreme Court recorded its assurance that such facilities would occupy no more than 15% of the total area, ensuring that at least 85% remains open for public use.
According to civic officials, the court’s order is expected to expedite decisions regarding supporting amenities that had been awaiting legal clarification. These facilities form part of the larger waterfront development planned along the Coastal Road corridor.
The latest development follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year in a public interest litigation concerning private participation in the landscaping and upkeep of the reclaimed land. At the time, the court reiterated that the area should primarily serve public purposes and prohibited any residential or commercial development intended for sale or lease. However, it allowed beautification and ecological enhancement measures, provided public access remains protected.
Preliminary work on the project, including landscaping-related activities and the establishment of a nursery in Worli, has already commenced. Once completed, the seafront is expected to feature an interconnected network of public open spaces, promenades, gardens and recreational facilities integrated with the Mumbai Coastal Road.
Source: Prop News Time
