Mumbai: With an aim to offer an uninterrupted view of the iconic ‘Queen’s Necklace’ from Malabar Hill, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will prepare a geographic information system (GIS)-based three-dimensional survey of buildings in Malabar area.
To this effect, it has appointed the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which will conduct a survey on elevation levels and suggest if the Malabar building heights can be raised without obstructing the view of Marine Drive and the Back Bay.
According to civic officials, the state government has directed the BMC to carry out a survey of Malabar buildings, which are located in the viewpoint on the eastern and southern sides from the viewing gallery at Kamala Nehru Garden, Malabar Hill.
“To preserve the view of Back Bay and Marine Drive from Malabar Hill, there is restriction of 21.35 metres (seven floors) on building height in this zone. As per state government’s directives, the BMC has appointed the IIT to decide on building heights, which lie in the funnel of vision from Kamala Nehru Park to the sea shore,” said a senior civic official from the Development Planning (DP) department.
An uninterrupted view of Marine Drive (southern view) and Back Bay (eastern view) from the park showcases the funnel of vision.
The area between Priyadarshini Park to Nepean Sea Road, Sector 49, lie on the eastern side, while the area between the end of the wooded area of Raj Bhavan on Walkeshwar Road to the Walkeshwar circle lie in the southern zone. There are 108 plots that are located in this funnel of vision.
The scope of work involves collecting elevation data in Kamala Nehru Park, superimposing it on the Development Plan and see the coverage. It will also generate the view lines from the viewing gallery at the park and then recommend permissible heights.
“There are several old and dilapidated buildings in this area that need to be redeveloped. As developers approach the state government with individual projects, it takes a lot of time to clear them. If the model is accepted by the State Urban Development Department, there is no need to seek government permission every time for future redevelopment projects in Malabar area,” said a civic official.
However, the state government has also permitted the municipal commissioner to decide on raising building heights. “The commissioner may permit a building of more than 21.35 metres after studying the contours of the area, surrounding developments and plot location, the objective being not to obstruct the view within the funnel of vision,” the official added.
