by Deepak Sawant 
In a surprising yet exciting urban development, Mumbai is set to get its biggest public park, and it could be built by none other than Reliance Industries. Although not officially confirmed yet, reliable sources suggest that the plan is highly likely to materialize soon.
The park will be developed on a massive 70-hectare (173-acre) piece of reclaimed land — land that was earlier under the sea — created during the construction of the ambitious Mumbai Coastal Road Project. This project, which connects South Mumbai’s Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, involved reclaiming about 111 hectares of land from the Arabian Sea.
So, how did this land become available, and why is a park being built instead of a commercial complex or skyscraper? Here’s everything you need to know about this transformation that could change Mumbai’s urban landscape forever.
The Backstory: Coastal Road and Reclaimed Land
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project is one of the city’s biggest infrastructure initiatives. It is designed to improve traffic movement along the western coastline of Mumbai, starting from Marine Drive, passing through Breach Candy and Haji Ali, and ultimately connecting to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
To make space for the road, the government reclaimed over 111 hectares of land from the sea. However, only part of this land was needed for the actual road. The rest — around 70 hectares — remained unused. That extra land is what may now become Mumbai’s largest park.
Why Not Build Malls or Towers?
Initially, there was speculation that the leftover land could be used for commercial projects like shopping malls or high-rise buildings. That would have generated huge revenue for the government and real estate developers. But that idea quickly ran into legal and environmental barriers.
India’s Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) laws clearly prohibit commercial construction on reclaimed coastal land unless it directly supports the infrastructure project. In this case, the courts, especially the Bombay High Court, made strong observations. They ruled that reclaimed land must be used only for public purposes. No private buildings, malls, or commercial activities are allowed on it.
So, turning the land into a public park became the only legal and environmentally sound option.
What Kind of Park is Planned?
This isn’t going to be just a regular park with trees and benches. Early concept designs suggest it will be a beautifully landscaped urban space with:
- Walking and jogging tracks
- Public gardens and green lawns
- Art installations and sculptures
- Open-air theatres
- Marine view decks
- Cultural zones and kids play areas
It’s being envisioned as Mumbai’s version of New York’s Central Park or Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay — a green lung in the heart of a concrete-heavy city.
Who Will Build It? Reliance May Step In
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided that it wouldn’t spend taxpayer money to develop the park. Instead, the city invited expressions of interest from private companies willing to design, build, and maintain the park — ideally as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
One of the top names to emerge from this process is Reliance Industries. While official confirmation is still pending, sources say Reliance is highly interested in designing and funding the park entirely on its own — without expecting any commercial return. In return, the company might be allowed to place plaques or signage that mention its role, as is common in many CSR initiatives.
Government Will Still Hold Control
Even though Reliance may build the park, the project will still be closely overseen by BMC. Civic officials will have the final say on design approvals and the park’s layout. Reliance will be required to follow all guidelines and implement the BMC’s suggestions during construction.
This means while Reliance might fund and execute the project, the government remains in full control to ensure that the park serves public interest.
Why Was So Much Land Reclaimed If the Road Didn’t Need It?
A common question people have is: If the road only needed 40–50 hectares, why was over 100 hectares reclaimed?
The answer lies in engineering. Coastal roads can’t be built right at the edge of the sea. Engineers need to create gentle curves, underpasses, support structures, and safe boundaries. For example, the arm connecting to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link can’t turn at a sharp 90-degree angle — it needs space to curve. Similarly, tunnels emerging from Marine Drive also need extended space.
So, while only a part of the reclaimed land is used directly for the road, the rest was necessary to support the overall infrastructure.
Current Status and What to Expect
As of now, the land still looks like a massive gray concrete patch. But if plans go ahead, this space will soon transform into a lush, scenic, and vibrant park. Construction could begin within months, and the final design might be revealed later in 2025.
If Reliance indeed takes the lead, the project will likely move swiftly and set a new benchmark for public-private partnerships in urban development.
Conclusion: A Greener Future for Mumbai
Mumbai is a city of constant change — always balancing its growth with its heritage, infrastructure with environment. The development of a 70-hectare park on reclaimed coastal land is a rare opportunity to bring nature back into the city.
Instead of more towers and traffic, Mumbaikars could get a serene space to walk, breathe, and connect with the sea. And if executed well, this could become one of the most iconic parks in India — maybe even in the world.
All eyes are now on how BMC and Reliance move forward. But one thing is certain: the gray concrete coastline of today might soon be replaced by a wave of green.
