Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has submitted a revised master plan for the open spaces along Mumbai’s Coastal Road after the Supreme Court restricted the use of such areas for ticketed recreational facilities and access-controlled zones to a maximum of 15%.
The revised proposal, submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), outlines a network of gardens, public amenities and recreational spaces across the reclaimed stretch between Nepeansea Road and Worli. The earlier plan had proposed allocating around 19% of the open space for ticketed recreational facilities, exceeding the limit prescribed by the apex court.
The updated design includes several attractions such as an observation deck, a native tree museum, a viewing point overlooking Haji Ali Dargah, an event lawn at Worli, three cultural gathering areas, two pet parks including a dog off-leash zone, an F&B destination and multiple landscaped zones.
The proposed development has been divided into six sections — Zone 1 at Nepeansea Road, Zone 2 at Breach Candy, Zone 3 near Mahalaxmi Temple, Zone 4 covering Haji Ali and Racecourse, Zone 5 at Worli South and Zone 6 at Worli North.
The revision follows a Supreme Court clarification issued in June, allowing only 15% of the Coastal Road’s open spaces to be utilised for ticketed recreational facilities and controlled-access areas, while ensuring that the remaining 85% remains freely accessible to citizens.
According to civic officials, the earlier proposal exceeded the permitted limit, prompting the BMC to seek modifications from RIL. A civic official said, “Our officials are scrutinising the revised plans submitted by RIL over a week ago. The plan submitted previously required a few changes, and hence we suggested that a revised plan be submitted.”
However, the revised proposal has faced objections from residents of Breach Candy and surrounding neighbourhoods. Members of more than 30 housing societies have approached the BMC, raising concerns over proposed entry points, ticket counters and the impact on the residential character of the area.
“The revised master plan shows multiple entry points from Breach Candy along with ticket counters. There is very little green buffer and more attractions in what is essentially a residential zone. We believe these matters deserve careful consideration before irreversible planning decisions are made. We therefore request a written response and an opportunity for resident representatives to engage with the planning team before the master plan is approved,” said a resident.
Residents have also raised concerns about the maintenance of greenery on reclaimed land, alleging that several trees planted at the Worli nursery as part of the plantation initiative have dried up. The BMC is currently reviewing the revised proposal before taking further action.
Source: The Times of India
