MMRDA proposes 28 commercial and 10 residential buildings in BKC to make the area more lucrative.

Thirty years is a short time in a rising metropolis and as the commercial hub of the Bandra-Kurla Complex became a hotspot, MMRDA decided to make it more lucrative by preparing a cosmopolitan development of taller buildings, and greener spaces.

A master plan to construct 28 commercial and 10 residential buildings in BKC’s E Block is proposed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. And in a ripple effect, it will help improve Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s various infrastructures by receiving Rs 18,000 crore revenue for MMRDA, the development planning agency. In MMR projects are being undertaken for infrastructure beneficial to the amount of Rs1 lakh crore – including several metro networks and the Trans Harbour Link.

As describing the BKC E Block transformation program, which houses offices of several governmental agencies, the Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev has said: “The most of these buildings are 30 years old, some of which have been permitted by MMRDA to obtain redevelopment approvals. We’ll prepare a revised master plan for urban design and architectural controls for BKC.”

Plans involve groundbreaking plans for buildings with features such as podium outdoor gardens, sky garden, modernized RG (recreational ground) plot, a pedestrian plaza and an elegant pedestrian bridge across the Mithi river.

“We want a master plan with the idea of Hong Kong, where you can travel from one building to another without placing your foot on the ground. The layout is compatible with the Metro station and has plenty of green space and natural light in buildings,” Rajeev said.

At present, only commercial and residential plots are measured on permissible built-up land in BKC where sections are taken off roads and open spaces. However, the FSI concept is based on a gross plot area, including road and open areas. FSI is based on the global FSI concept. And if the global FSI model is introduced, MMRDA expects to accumulate 41.7 hectares of built-up area in the E-block and 278.73 area in the G-block. This is expected to help MMRDA gain about Rs 18,000 crore as a Rs 3.44 lakh built-up area per metre.

The plan will offer a profit across MMR. “The revenue obtained will be used to develop the BKC and MMR network,” the metropolitan commissioner said.