The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) over the alleged use of debris from private construction sites to fill land along the southern section of Mumbai’s Coastal Road. The affected plots, situated between Haji Ali and Priyadarshini Park, are earmarked for gardens and public open spaces.
According to the civic body, the filling work was supposed to use soil and stone chips obtained from authorised stone quarries. However, officials alleged that construction debris was being used instead, violating the BMC’s solid waste management regulations.
The issue came to light during a routine inspection of the site. Following the discovery, civic officials examined vehicle records and challans relating to the transportation of earth and excavated material. Their checks reportedly indicated that the material was being transported from private construction sites rather than approved sources.
The BMC’s notice also highlighted the conditions specified in the project tender, which mandate that filling material must be procured from authorised quarries or other permitted sources. Citing the alleged breach of contractual requirements, the corporation has asked L&T to explain its actions.
The notice concerns land preparation for the planned public spaces and does not establish that the contractor has been found guilty of a violation. It also does not confirm any final decision on further action against the company.
The 10.58-km Mumbai Coastal Road was opened to the public in March 2024. Its development involved reclaiming approximately 111 hectares of land from the Arabian Sea. Of this, around 40 hectares was allocated for roads, interchanges and bridges, while nearly 70 hectares consists of land parcels intended for gardens and open spaces.
In August 2025, the BMC appointed Reliance Infrastructure to develop and maintain gardens along the coastal road. The latest notice has brought attention to the procedures governing the preparation of these remaining land parcels, particularly compliance with sourcing rules and contractual requirements for construction materials.
Source: Construction World
