Mumbai Union Opposes Leasing Officer Quarters On Altamount Road Plan
Mumbai’s urban housing tensions have intensified as a major workers’ union of the city’s public transport utility has opposed a proposal to lease out 35 officer quarters on the upscale Altamount Road to private entities. The union argues that the move undermines employee welfare and threatens the long-term housing security of the workforce.
According to union representatives, these residential units were originally constructed to provide affordable and strategically located accommodation for the utility’s officers, enabling them to live close to their workplace. Leasing the quarters for commercial purposes, they claim, would displace both current and future staff from accessible housing options in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. The utility recently issued a public tender inviting bids for a 30-year lease of the flats, with an option to extend for another three decades. The base lease value has been fixed at over ₹260 crore, with strict payment terms requiring a quarter of the amount to be paid within a month of acceptance. Provisions in the tender also permit interior modifications and, with civic approval, redevelopment during the lease period.
Union officials have raised concerns over potential social and security disruptions within the colony if private residents are introduced. They fear the erosion of community bonds and the gradual displacement of employees into less affordable neighbourhoods, undermining the equitable housing model that public sector institutions have historically upheld in the city. This opposition is not isolated. Another prominent workers’ group has also submitted a formal objection to the administration, labelling the proposal inappropriate and contrary to the principles of employee welfare. Both organisations have called for urgent intervention from the state government, stressing that financial recovery strategies should not compromise housing rights of employees.
Sources within the transport utility acknowledge that the leasing plan is part of a broader effort to monetise high-value real estate assets in response to mounting operational losses. The approach reflects a growing trend in urban governance where public assets are leveraged to fund service delivery. However, critics point out that this strategy risks prioritising short-term revenue generation over the long-term social stability of the workforce. As Mumbai continues to grapple with rising property prices and an acute shortage of affordable housing, the debate over these staff quarters underscores the wider conflict between urban monetisation policies and sustainable, inclusive city planning. For now, the proposal remains in contention, awaiting further government review and public scrutiny.
