Activists Challenge BMC’s Land Demarcation for Coastal Road Project
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) is facing mounting opposition from environmental activists, particularly in relation to the recent demarcation of reclaimed land adjacent to Breach Candy Hospital (BCH). After significant difficulties in acquiring 6,000 square metres of reclaimed land for the project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun marking the boundaries of the land, which is currently under contention.
Originally owned by the Mumbai City District Collector, the land was leased to Breach Candy Hospital and the Breach Candy Club (BCC) before being submerged. The ongoing reclamation has led to the controversy surrounding the allocation of the reclaimed portion next to the BCH premises. Activist Zoru Bhathena has raised serious concerns, claiming that the plot lies within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-I), a No Development Zone (NDZ), thus making it unsuitable for any form of construction or private development. In a letter to multiple authorities, Bhathena has requested an immediate halt to all construction activities, including the installation of a boundary wall around the hospital’s land, unless prior approval from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) is obtained. Bhathena argued that the land, which falls under CRZ-I, is intended for public use as open space and not for private development.
The BMC, however, has justified its actions. The civic body confirmed that it was unaware of the hospital’s claim over the land when the reclamation work began. The land was initially used for stacking materials and construction yards. It was only after a communication from the Mumbai Collector last year that the BMC took steps to demarcate the plot and construct a boundary wall around the 2,900 square metres adjacent to the hospital. Breach Candy Hospital has presented documents listing the land as part of its original leased property. The hospital’s management asserts that this reclaimed land, previously under the high tide line, belongs to them and that they have been using the land for auxiliary purposes, such as storage and parking.
Despite the claims from BCH, Bhathena insists that the land is part of Mumbai’s coastal ecosystem and should be restored for public use, in line with environmental protection laws. He expressed concern that the construction of a boundary wall, without proper CRZ clearance, could set a dangerous precedent for further encroachment in Mumbai’s coastal zones. As the controversy grows, the future of this reclaimed land hangs in the balance. Activists are demanding a thorough review by the authorities to ensure that the city’s environmental regulations are strictly adhered to, while the BMC continues to defend its decision to allocate the land for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. With multiple stakeholders involved, the outcome remains uncertain, as the issue continues to generate significant debate over urban development and environmental preservation in Mumbai.