Congress Leader Opposes BMC Plan to Lease Century Mill Land in Lower Parel
Ashraf Azmi, Congress group leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, has opposed the civic body's proposal to lease the 6.17-acre Century Mill land in Lower Parel to Peddar Realty Limited for 30 years, with an option for an additional 30-year extension.
Azmi urged the BMC to keep the proposal in abeyance ahead of it being tabled in the civic improvements committee on Friday. He argued that the strategically located municipal asset should be used to secure public housing, rehabilitate existing occupants, and create long-term public value rather than being transferred for private development.
The objection follows a January 7, 2025 judgment by the Supreme Court, which settled the principal ownership dispute over the land in favour of the BMC. The original lease on the property had expired on March 31, 1955, resulting in a dispute that continued for nearly seven decades.
Azmi questioned whether the proposal adequately complies with the regulatory framework for cotton textile mill lands under Regulation 35 of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034. Under Regulation 35, plots up to five hectares must allocate 16.5% for public open space, 16.5% for MHADA, public, or mill-worker housing, and 67% for owner development. He sought clarity on how this provision interacts with the proposed development under Regulation 33(9), as well as details on required open space, housing quotas, development rights, and applicable premiums.
A central issue raised by the Congress leader is the rehabilitation of existing Century Mill occupants. Azmi stated that current residents should not be displaced to facilitate a developer's sale component. While the proposal reportedly offers around 405 square feet of rehabilitation area for eligible occupants, Azmi demanded a comprehensive plan covering eligible residential and commercial occupants, permanent carpet area, tenure, transit accommodation, safeguards against project delays, and on-site rehabilitation wherever feasible.
Azmi also called for the full disclosure of Floor Space Index calculations. The 6.17-acre plot covers roughly 2.69 lakh square feet, with a preliminary 4.00 FSI calculation potentially yielding around 10.75 lakh square feet of built-up area before statutory exclusions. In light of this development potential, Azmi questioned whether the proposed consideration of approximately ₹1,351 crore adequately reflects the property's long-term economic value.
