BMC Proposes Rs 1.85 Crore Plan to Redevelop Powai Lake Promenade
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed appointing an infrastructure consultancy firm to prepare a comprehensive redevelopment plan for a stretch of Powai Lake along Adi Shankaracharya Marg in Mumbai.
The civic body is seeking to spend Rs 1.85 crore on the consultancy contract with AECOM Asia Company Limited. The BMC is also seeking an exemption from the mandatory public tender process for this appointment.
Under the proposal, which has been tabled before the standing committee, the consultant will be appointed for a period of four months. During this time, the firm is expected to prepare a detailed proposal and technical design for redeveloping the lakefront promenade and its adjoining areas.
The targeted stretch is a 1.8-kilometre-long promenade along Adi Shankaracharya Marg (JVLR), located between the Ganesh Ghat and Pawarwadi immersion points. While this promenade was originally developed in 2008, it has not undergone any significant beautification or restoration work since then.
The urgency for the redevelopment has increased due to several ongoing infrastructure projects in the area that have damaged portions of the footpath. These projects include the construction of access staircases and escalators for the upcoming Metro Line 7 stations at Rambagh and Powai lake. Additionally, the sewerage projects department has been laying an underground sewage conduit along the stretch to prevent untreated sewage from entering the water body.
BMC officials stated that they have received repeated complaints from local residents and elected representatives regarding the deteriorating condition of the promenade.
The plan also follows a high-level meeting held in August 2025 under the chairmanship of the secretary to the chief minister. During that meeting, officials were directed to conduct a feasibility study to develop land parcels adjoining the lake and to create a financially sustainable model capable of generating its own revenue.
Powai Lake is spread across 223 hectares and features a 6.61 square kilometre catchment area. Because of the sensitive ecology of the lake, civic officials noted that any redevelopment must be approached with extreme caution. Since the majority of the proposed interventions are located along the edge of the lake, the project must ensure minimal disturbance to the local aquatic life and biodiversity.
