Mumbai’s civic administration has opened bidding for a long-term lease of a vacant plot in Worli, marking its latest attempt to monetise underutilised public land and generate capital for major city infrastructure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is offering the parcel on a 30-year lease, extendable by another 30 years, as part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue while reducing dependence on traditional sources such as property tax and development premiums.
The land, measuring roughly 3,500 sq. metres but with a currently usable area of 1,299 sq. metres, has been reserved in the Development Plan (DP) 2034 for public recreational amenities. Under this designation, the site can be used to develop community facilities such as a gymkhana or club, which officials say aligns with efforts to improve access to shared social infrastructure in dense neighbourhoods. A senior civic officer noted that the plot had been embroiled in legal disputes linked to its earlier allotment under the Vacant Land Tenure system, but the BMC regained possession in October 2024, paving the way for the tender process.
The latest auction is a continuation of the city government’s increasing push to leverage land assets to fund mobility corridors, drainage upgrades, coastal resilience works, and other capital-intensive projects. In recent years, the civic body has attempted to balance this monetisation with the need to conserve open spaces and ensure that public assets serve long-term community goals. Industry experts say this model, if executed with transparency and clear service obligations, can support both revenue stability and inclusive neighbourhood development.
Earlier auctions reflect the scale of demand for centrally located land parcels. In June 2024, the BMC secured a combined ₹1,152 crore from the sale of two high-value plots one near Crawford Market and another at the Worli Asphalt Plant.
However, not all tenders have proceeded smoothly. A proposed auction of a Malabar Hill property was withdrawn after strong local opposition, underscoring the sensitivity around land use in heritage or high-density precincts. In contrast, the Worli Asphalt Plant plot fetched ₹783 crore, while the Paltan Road plot received a winning bid of ₹369 crore.Urban planners caution that while monetisation is an important fiscal tool, the city must ensure that leased plots reserved for public use remain accessible, sustainably built, and climate-resilient.
Given Mumbai’s shortage of open spaces and increasing vulnerability to heat and flooding, they argue that recreational facilities on such sites should adopt inclusive design, renewable energy options, and permeable landscaping.For now, the Worli lease is expected to draw interest from institutions seeking premium central locations. The outcome of this tender will also reveal how Mumbai balances financial imperatives with its commitment to equitable and environmentally aligned urban development.
Mumbai Invites Bids To Lease Worli Plot For Thirty Years Infrastructure Boost
