Mumbai May Remove Garden Reservation for Temple Redevelopment

Mumbai is considering a change to its Development Plan that could remove an open-space reservation from a plot occupied by an existing temple in the Jogeshwari-Andheri area.

The plot measures approximately 2,278.90 sq m, of which around 1,840 sq m is occupied by the existing Lakshminarayan Temple. The land currently carries an open-space reservation under Mumbai's Development Plan 2034.

The proposed change would allow reconstruction of the ageing temple and provide additional space for religious and social activities. However, the reservation cannot simply be removed administratively. It would require a formal modification to the city's Development Plan.

For Mumbai property owners and homebuyers, the proposal highlights the importance of Development Plan reservations. A plot's location and ownership alone do not determine its development potential; reservations for gardens, roads, schools and other public purposes can significantly affect what can be built.

Any modification therefore needs to balance redevelopment requirements with the city's need to preserve designated public and open spaces.

Key takeaway: Development Plan reservations remain an important factor in Mumbai land use, and any change can influence how individual plots are ultimately redeveloped.