Mumbai’s upscale Malabar Hill neighbourhood has become the latest battleground for urban green space preservation. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) recent proposal to auction a 2,432-square-metre plot near Shantivan Garden has sparked strong opposition from residents, who argue the move threatens their community’s access to essential green areas. This plot, which is currently occupied by a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) receiving station, was initially designated for public garden use. However, under the BMC’s new proposal, the land could be leased to private developers for 60 years, raising fears among residents about potential commercialisation.
The plot sits within the Green Hill Slope of Malabar Hill, a heritage precinct that includes the famed Hanging Gardens, adding cultural significance to environmental concerns. Residents, led by environmental activist Zoru Bhathena, are vocal about the importance of preserving this green space, especially as it lies within a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Non-Development Zone, intended to protect coastal ecosystems. This designation legally prohibits real estate development on the plot, a point Bhathena and others have underscored in an objection letter submitted to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.
The civic body’s plan is part of a broader initiative to lease various properties for revenue generation, which includes the Malabar Hill plot and other locations, such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market and an asphalt plant plot in Worli. A pre-bid meeting for prospective developers was held, sparking further mobilisation among residents. An official valuation places the plot’s worth at Rs. 545 crores, highlighting its appeal to developers but deepening concerns about prioritising financial gains over community interests.
The residents’ objection letter, supported by a coalition of community members, urges the BMC to cancel the auction and restore the plot to Shantivan Garden, should BEST no longer require it. “The plot, though currently housing a receiving station, remains a designated Green Plot, which by law restricts any form of real estate development,” said echoing widespread sentiment among residents who see this green area as a non-negotiable part of their neighbourhood.
