Key Highlights
- Chandurkar disposed of a public interest litigation challenging the Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inviting private agencies for landscaping and maintenance works on the reclaimed coastal land.
- The Court noted that its earlier order dated September 30, 2022 which permitted development works such as landscaping of the seaside promenade and road medians for the coastal road project, had already addressed the concerns raised by the petitioner.
- The 2022 order had categorically stipulated that the reclaimed land “shall not be utilised for any residential or commercial development purposes, either presently or at any time in the future.” Clarifying the position further, the Bench observed that the Dharmaveer Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South), proposed to be developed through corporate social responsibility initiatives, shall ordinarily remain open to the public, except in limited areas where specific development or maintenance activities may be required from time to time.
- “We find that the order dated 30 September 2022 takes care of the issue.
- However, suffice it to say that the reclaimed land shall ordinarily remain open for the public, except in particular places where certain development or maintenance is required.
