BMC Plans ₹42-Crore Malabar Hill Slope Stabilization Project Near Kamala Nehru Park

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a ₹42-crore project to strengthen a vulnerable hillside near Kamala Nehru Park in Malabar Hill and reduce the risk of soil erosion and landslides during the monsoon.

The proposal has been submitted to the BMC Standing Committee for final approval. The planned work will focus on strengthening the slope and improving safety for nearby residents, visitors and the Nature Elevated Walkway.

BMC Plans Stronger Slope Protection at Malabar Hill

The project will include several engineering measures to improve the stability of the hillside. These include soil strengthening, steel mesh installation, gabion structures, reinforced cement concrete (RCC) retaining walls and improved drainage systems.

The plan has been prepared with recommendations from experts at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The measures are designed to strengthen weak sections of the hill and help control rainwater, which can increase the risk of erosion and slope failure.

Project to Protect Nature Elevated Walkway and Nearby Settlements

The proposed work is closely linked to the BMC’s Nature Elevated Walkway initiative. The hillside below parts of the walkway has steep slopes, with residential buildings, chawls and slum settlements located near the foothill.

Stabilizing the slope is expected to improve safety in the area and protect the walkway, residents and visitors to Kamala Nehru Park. The park is one of Mumbai’s well-known attractions and is particularly popular for its iconic Boot House.

Repeated Monsoon Landslides Raise Safety Concerns

The need for stronger protection has increased following repeated incidents of soil movement and landslides during the monsoon.

The existing stone retaining wall has deteriorated at several points. Sections of the wall in the Loyalka Compound area have also collapsed after repeated monsoon landslides. Following inspections of the Malabar Hill reservoir hill, the police department advised the civic body to take additional safety measures.

The new project aims to address these concerns through a combination of structural support and better water drainage.

₹41.83-Crore Project Includes Major Safety Measures

According to the proposal, Dev Engineers has been appointed to carry out the work. The basic contract cost is ₹36.69 crore, while the overall project cost is estimated at ₹41.83 crore, including taxes and other provisions.

The construction package will include RCC structures, gabion walls and steel mesh along with soil stabilization measures. A better drainage network will also help direct rainwater away from vulnerable sections of the slope.

Focus on Landslide-Prone Section Near Kamala Nehru Park

The Malabar Hill area was identified as vulnerable to further slope failure after a major landslide occurred in 2020. The BMC had previously undertaken restoration work along the stretch between the BMC Hydraulic Department and Kemps Corner.

The latest proposal focuses specifically on the vulnerable hillside near Kamala Nehru Park. By strengthening the slope and improving drainage, the civic body aims to reduce the possibility of future landslides and improve long-term safety in one of South Mumbai’s important public and residential areas.

If approved, the ₹42-crore project will add another layer of protection to the Malabar Hill hillside while supporting safer public infrastructure and better monsoon preparedness in the area.