The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has renewed its proposal to transform the reclaimed Mulund landfill into a golf course following the deferment of a plan to lease a portion of the site for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The civic body is now expected to undertake a detailed feasibility study to assess the technical, environmental and planning aspects of the project before taking a final decision on the long-term utilisation of the reclaimed land. 
The Mulund dumping ground, one of Mumbai's oldest landfill sites, stopped receiving municipal waste several years ago and has since been undergoing scientific reclamation through biomining and waste processing. As the landfill restoration progresses, authorities have been exploring suitable post-reclamation land uses that can convert the degraded site into a productive urban asset while ensuring environmental sustainability and public benefit. 
Earlier, a proposal had been placed before the BMC to lease a section of the reclaimed land for facilities associated with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, including temporary construction infrastructure. However, the proposal did not receive immediate approval after members of the civic body's committee sought additional clarifications regarding the project, including environmental implications, land utilisation and the long-term impact on future development plans for the site. The proposal has therefore been deferred for further examination rather than rejected outright. 
With the lease proposal temporarily on hold, civic authorities have resumed discussions on the long-pending golf course project, which has previously been considered as one of the possible redevelopment options for the reclaimed landfill. The proposal aims to convert a portion of the restored land into a recreational facility that could contribute to increasing green and open spaces in the city's eastern suburbs while making productive use of land that was once unsuitable for development. 
Before any project is undertaken, the BMC plans to carry out comprehensive technical studies covering soil stability, settlement behaviour, drainage systems, environmental safety and long-term maintenance requirements. Since reclaimed landfill sites continue to undergo gradual settlement for several years after closure, detailed engineering assessments will be necessary to determine whether the land can safely support recreational infrastructure and associated facilities. 
Urban development experts believe that converting reclaimed landfill sites into parks, sports facilities and recreational spaces has become an increasingly accepted practice in cities across the world. Such projects not only restore environmentally damaged land but also improve urban liveability by creating public amenities in densely populated metropolitan regions. However, they also require continuous environmental monitoring and adherence to strict engineering standards to ensure long-term safety and sustainability. 
The Mulund site occupies a strategically important location in Mumbai's eastern suburbs and represents one of the city's largest reclaimed land parcels available for future development. Consequently, its eventual utilisation carries significance not only for recreational planning but also for broader urban development objectives, environmental restoration and infrastructure planning. 
Authorities have indicated that no final decision has yet been taken regarding the site's ultimate use. The outcome of the proposed feasibility study, along with further deliberations on the deferred lease proposal, will guide future planning for the reclaimed land. Until then, the civic body is expected to evaluate multiple alternatives while balancing environmental considerations, public interest and the city's growing infrastructure requirements. 
The renewed focus on the Mulund landfill demonstrates Mumbai's continuing effort to reimagine obsolete waste disposal sites as valuable urban assets. Whether developed as recreational infrastructure or integrated into another public purpose, the site's future will be shaped by technical feasibility, environmental safeguards and long-term planning priorities. 
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BMC to consider leasing Mulund land to support Dharavi redevelopment works