Mumbai’s iconic Taj Lands End hotel in Bandra West is set to expand its footprint after receiving approval from the state’s coastal authority, marking a significant development in the city’s high-end hospitality sector. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) recently granted clearance for the addition of new dining spaces, utilising additional floor space index (FSI) permitted under revised Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules of 2019.
According to official meeting records, the hotel will add two new restaurants on the third-floor porch terrace—one of them with a retractable roof. A portion of the existing restaurant structure at the podium level will be extended on the eastern side, while a second new restaurant featuring a steel and glass roof will face the sea on the western side. Both additions aim to capitalise on the property’s prime coastal location by offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. These changes come as part of a larger redevelopment strategy by the Tata Group-led hospitality firm that operates both the Taj Lands End and the adjacent Taj Bandstand. A company spokesperson confirmed that a revised planning proposal had been submitted to the concerned authorities, in line with existing environmental and development control regulations.
The expansion has been made possible due to policy shifts brought about by the CRZ Notification, 2019, which unlocked development rights for several properties in Mumbai’s coastal stretches. Since then, a number of high-profile properties have applied to use the increased FSI, triggering a new wave of urban reconfiguration along the western waterfront. Planning officials noted that similar applications from private residences and commercial establishments are also under active consideration. The Taj Lands End sits on a sprawling plot of over 37,000 square metres, of which more than 14,000 square metres have been surrendered to the civic authorities for public use, including a proposed garden and access road expansion. These provisions were included as part of the development plan compliance and have been accounted for in the latest project blueprint.
Currently, reconstruction is also underway at the adjacent Hotel Searock plot, which had remained derelict since being damaged during the 1993 bomb blasts. The redevelopment is expected to further revitalise the Bandra seafront, one of Mumbai’s most valuable and scenic urban pockets. The planned expansion aligns with Mumbai’s broader shift toward high-density, mixed-use development along the coast, while raising pertinent questions about balancing commercial interests with long-term sustainability. Officials said the expansion must comply with all environmental safeguards laid out in the clearance and ensure zero discharge into marine zones.
While the coastal authority’s clearance marks a critical milestone for the project, further approvals from local planning bodies and environment departments are still pending. However, hospitality sector experts view this as a positive signal for future investments in sustainable tourism infrastructure along Mumbai’s coastline.
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