BMC Extends Deadline for EOI on MCRP Open Space Development

17 Feb 2025 CW Team

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has extended the deadline for its Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development and maintenance of open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) to March 7. This move comes after receiving just one bid, prompting calls from several corporates seeking additional time to study the vast 70-hectare land parcel.

The extension aims to give interested companies ample time to evaluate the expansive space, including assessing the development and maintenance costs. Once the private agency is appointed, the companies will submit their proposals, including designs for the open spaces, which will then be approved by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Following approval, work on developing the space is expected to begin, with an estimated timeline of two years for completion.

Key Features of MCRP’s Open Space The 111 hectares reclaimed for the MCRP will feature green pockets, gardens, cycling tracks, and amphitheatres, with a 7.5-km-long promenade, similar to Marine Drive, planned along the coast. The promenade will span nearly 11 hectares, while an additional 5 hectares of the road’s median is being beautified by Tata Sons Limited.

For the remaining 53 hectares, BMC is seeking private entities to take on the development and upkeep. The project has also sparked concerns from citizens, with some calling for the creation of an urban coastal forest filled with native trees like peepal and banyan in the area.

This open space initiative, vital for enhancing Mumbai’s coastal landscape, has attracted mixed responses, reflecting the community's interest in preserving the city's natural heritage while developing urban infrastructure.

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