States » WestPosted at: Oct 16 2026 1:07PM


Mumbai's high-rise redevelopment raises ecological concerns; Experts warn of water crisis, congestion

Mumbai, Oct 16 (UNI) Mumbai's rapid urban expansion, driven by high-rise redevelopment and liberal Floor Space Index (FSI) norms, is putting increasing pressure on the city's water resources, open spaces and civic infrastructure, environmentalists and urban planning experts warned at a seminar here.
Speakers at a discussion titled "Towering Crisis: The City We Are Rebuilding", organised by NatConnect Foundation in association with the Mumbai Press Club on Thursday, called for a review of the existing development model to ensure that urban growth remains within ecological limits.
The discussion focused on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which extends into neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad, and the growing challenges posed by unplanned development, rising population and inadequate infrastructure.
Veteran journalist, writer and activist Gurbir Singh, a founding member of the housing rights organisation Nivara Hakk, said decades of unplanned growth had left Mumbai struggling to accommodate its population.
He pointed out that redevelopment projects were making buildings taller without a corresponding improvement in roads and water supply.
"While land is not available, the housing complexes are becoming taller while grappling with roads of the same width as earlier and compounding the water crisis," Singh said, describing the redevelopment spree as an excessive dependence on construction.
Debi Goenka, Executive Trustee of Conservation Action Trust, criticised the development pattern, saying it failed to account for the ecological carrying capacity of the city.
"What we are seeing is not development but 'devilopment'," he said, alleging that the benefits of the current model were disproportionately accruing to builders and politicians.
Goenka noted that the base FSI had been increased from one to four and questioned whether the pace and scale of development were scientifically planned.
Stalin D, founder of Vanashakti, warned that the expansion of urban centres was failing to resolve congestion. Navi Mumbai, originally developed to ease pressure on Mumbai, had itself become congested, he said.
He also raised concerns over plans for a Third Mumbai around the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Raigad district and proposals for a Fourth Mumbai in Palghar, cautioning that further expansion could extend the cycle of urban sprawl.
Water security emerged as another major concern during the discussion. Subhajit Mukherjee, founder of Mission Green Mumbai, stressed the need for long-term planning in view of uncertain rainfall and the possible continuation of El Niño conditions.
Emphasising the importance of wastewater recycling and reuse, Mukherjee warned that the coming period could be difficult for the region's water supply.
"The next 24 months are going to be tough," he said, referring to rainfall concerns and the need to strengthen water management.
Bittu Sahgal, founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation and editor of Sanctuary Asia, said unplanned urbanisation was affecting both the environment and the quality of life of residents.
He expressed concern over the pollution of underground water reserves and said climate change was making rainfall increasingly unpredictable, with cities facing excessive rainfall, shortages or erratic precipitation.
Prerna Yadav, Associate Director of the Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI), stressed the need for greater public awareness of the planning mechanisms governing urban development.
She highlighted the importance of understanding the Development Plan (DP), Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) and Comprehensive Accessibility Plan (CAP), while pointing to inadequate coordination among citizens and agencies involved in urban planning.
The panel discussion was anchored by B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation.
The event also featured a reading by Jitendra Bhargava, former Executive Director and chief spokesperson of Air India, from Kumar's book NEWSFIRE: A 50-Year Connect with Media & Environment.
Bhargava recalled Kumar's early journalism career, which began in 1975 during the Emergency, and his commitment to questioning authority and holding the powerful accountable.
He also recounted Kumar's 1979 UNI report on veteran leader Jayaprakash Narayan. While covering Narayan's treatment at Jaslok Hospital, Kumar independently verified that the leader was alive despite an unconfirmed report of his death. The UNI flash prompted Parliament to reconvene after it had been adjourned following condolence references to Narayan.
The speakers called for a development strategy that balances redevelopment and housing requirements with water security, open spaces, environmental protection and the capacity of essential civic infrastructure.
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