Malabar Hill residents challenge BMC road width cut in Bombay HC

Malabar Hill residents have moved the Bombay High Court against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) 2023 decision to reduce the width of Walkeshwar Road from 27.5 metres to 17 metres between the Afghan Consulate and Teen Batti. The PIL, filed by the Malabar Hill Citizens Association through convener Jaswant Mehta, argues the reduction is illegal and will cause severe traffic congestion.

The PIL notes that the road's sanctioned width has been 27.5 metres since the 1967 development plan and was only proposed for reduction in 2021. Residents say the current width of 13.5 to 16 metres is already too narrow and widening is needed. They allege the reduction benefits a private developer near Teen Batti where a 15-storey building is planned.

The BMC issued a stop-work notice in April 2025 following chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's intervention but later withdrew it without rescinding the 2023 resolution. The BMC instead sought an IIT-Bombay report, which residents say does not address their concerns. The acting chief justice said the matter will be heard by a new bench.