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The Supreme Court has reiterated that the land reclaimed along the Mumbai Coastal Road cannot be used for residential or commercial development and must largely remain accessible to the public. The observation came while disposing of a petition challenging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's move to involve private agencies for landscaping and maintenance of the reclaimed areas. The court referred to its earlier directions, stressing that such land is meant for public use, with limited exceptions only for essential upkeep and landscaping, including projects undertaken under corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Supreme Court has made it clear that the reclaimed land along the Mumbai Coastal Road, particularly in south Mumbai, must remain open to the public and cannot be diverted for residential or commercial purposes. The court was hearing a plea that questioned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's decision to issue an Expression of Interest for engaging private agencies to carry out landscaping and maintenance of these reclaimed stretches. Advertisement
While addressing the concerns raised, the bench referred to its earlier directions issued in late 2022, which had explicitly barred any commercial or residential development on the reclaimed land. The judges observed that the primary purpose of such land is public access and community use, and this position continues to hold. The court clarified that only limited development linked to maintenance, landscaping, or essential infrastructure would be permissible.
The plea had raised apprehensions that the involvement of private entities, including projects proposed under corporate social responsibility initiatives, could eventually lead to restricted access or indirect commercialisation. Responding to this, the court stated that even areas developed or maintained through CSR initiatives must ordinarily remain open to the public, except for small portions where access may be restricted due to ongoing work or safety requirements.
The Mumbai Coastal Road project has resulted in significant land reclamation beyond the roadway itself, prompting debate over the future use of these spaces. The court's reiteration aims to ensure that reclaimed coastal land, especially in a city facing acute shortages of open spaces, is preserved for public use and not converted into private or revenue-generating assets.
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