The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed relaxing building-height restrictions on narrow roads, potentially allowing high-rise redevelopment on plots accessed by roads less than nine metres wide across Mumbai.
The civic body’s Improvements Committee has approved an amendment to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. The proposal would replace the existing requirement that high-rise buildings must generally face roads at least nine metres wide.
Under the proposed framework, building height would be linked to the width of the approach road. Structures on roads measuring 3.6 metres could rise up to 32 metres, equivalent to around 10 floors. Roads 4.5 metres wide could permit buildings up to 70 metres, or approximately 21–23 floors, while roads measuring six metres could accommodate towers up to 120 metres, or around 31–32 storeys. Roads measuring nine metres or more would continue to allow buildings exceeding 120 metres.
All projects would require clearance from the fire brigade, with high-rise proposals also subject to approval from the high-rise committee.
“NOCs will be granted only after all mandatory fire safety norms are met,” a fire brigade official said.
The amendment will require approval from the state urban development department before becoming effective.
The proposed change could open up redevelopment opportunities in densely built parts of the city, particularly where ageing buildings have remained stuck because of narrow access roads. Civic officials estimate that more than 40,000 Mumbai buildings are over 30 years old, with several structures in south Mumbai between 70 and 80 years old.
Town planner Pankaj Joshi, however, raised concerns about emergency access. “Building height should increase only when adequate access is available for emergency services during disasters,” said town planner Pankaj Joshi. “There is also a Supreme Court judgment on the need for sufficient approach roads.”
Developer Amit Musle said the amendment could help revive redevelopment projects involving old and dilapidated buildings on narrow lanes.
Anuj Puri, chairman of ANAROCK Group, said, “This policy opens up significant residential potential and can accelerate redevelopment,” while also highlighting concerns over infrastructure pressure and access-related legal issues.
Anand Gupta, general secretary of the Builders Association of India, said, “Buildings with narrow access can now be redeveloped, which will benefit residents living in ageing structures,” he said.
Residents of a Jogeshwari East housing colony, where redevelopment has reportedly been stalled for nearly a decade, also welcomed the proposal. “If the amendment goes through, our 70- to 80-year-old buildings can finally be redeveloped,” a resident said.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
