CREDAI-MCHI Vision - MMR

The CREDAI-MCHI has been at the forefront whenever there has been
an SOS call from the Government or society and has supported on
various fronts to give back to society such as the 2005 Mumbai Flood,
Kerala Floods, Kolhapur-Sangli floods, curbing the spread of Covid 19.
MCGM’s Municipal Commissioner accepted and released CREDAI-
MCHI’s Ease of Doing Business manual in 2015, which simplified
procedures for various approvals, thereby reducing approval time.
CREDAI-MCHI played a crucial role in finalising the DCPR 2034 for
Mumbai and the UDCPR for Maharashtra for promoting development
in a structured manner for the next two decades.
CREDAI-MCHI requested the Maharashtra State Government to reduce
the stamp duty during Covid since many people realised the importance
of owning a home. Therefore, the State announced a stamp duty rebate,
which provided an incentive for home buyers to buy their dream homes.
A similar situation occurred with the high premium, resulting in many
redevelopment projects being unusable. Again, the state recognised our
long-pending request and reduced the premium by 50%.
CREDAI-MCHI will always continue to strive for the betterment of
society and the overall development of the City. We are not just builders;
we are nation builders.

Transforming MMR

This vision document aims to bring visible change in the
MMR’s Urban Built Environment through Innovation,
Integration and Internationalisation.

This Vision Document is in consonance with the plan of
the Government of Maharashtra to Make MMR A Vibrant-
World-Class region.

In pursuance of the blueprint, we propose a Joint Action
Committee where experts from various walks of life along
with CREDAI-MCHI and officials from State Government
and Local Bodies will churn out a robust road map for a
sustainable MMR for the next 30 years.

What I like about cities is that everything
is king-size, the beauty and the ugliness.

~ Joseph Brodsky

Foreword In a city, nothing is permanent. Cities are constantly in flux,
just like living organisms. When a city is in decline, it has to
Shri Boman Irani establish a clear vision of its future identity, with its people
at its heart, to turn things around. New residents, visitors,
President and business investments can either be attracted or repelled
CREDAI-MCHI by cities, which act as magnets. Developing a solid magnetic
pull of a city requires all stakeholders to be well-versed in
Mumbai managing the migration of people, ideas, and investments.
It is only possible if the city administration has a clear vision,
an implementation plan, robust and conducive policies. It is
also necessary to have a comprehensive vision for the city,
including everything from public spaces to accommodations
to sewage systems.

Today, cities are competing with each other ever more
fiercely to bring good companies and residents who will
help the city to prosper. The opportunities offered by
international cities such as London, Hong Kong, and Dubai
are always attractive to multinational companies and HNI.
However, businesses will likely relocate to Mumbai if the
city can attract residents whose demographic profile aligns
with its vision, especially young creative thinkers. As a result,
the region will likely gain a reputation for attracting certain
industries and lifestyles.

This only possible when the city has a consistent approach
to urban reconstruction and development. In this vision
document, CREDAI-MCHI examines how MMR can
compete with these cities and/or regions to retain and attract
top companies. This Blue-Book aims to enhance MMR’s
attractiveness by identifying a few guiding principles. I’m
sure this vision will be taken forward by the Government of
Maharashtra with the help of CREDAI-MCHI.

I

In urbanization, you think big because
you are thinking decades ahead.

~ Kushal Pal Singh

Preface Over the years, MMR has achieved undoubtedly fascinating
development in city styles and construction. The island has
Shri Dhaval Ajmera transformed into an advanced modern city with the tallest
buildings in a considerable time. However, as our population grew,
Hon Secretary we lost our water bodies, swamplands, open spaces, and green
CREDAI-MCHI areas. Now the time has come to encourage healthy and sustainable
development in all sectors, explicitly urban built environment.
Mumbai This vision document is our attempt to find a balance between
socio-economic development and environmental protection. This
is in tandem with the MCGM and Maharashtra Government’s
vision to transform Mumbai into a smart city with an eco-friendly
economy. This blueprint is for reviving rivers, water bodies and lost
green patches through policy, technology and sustainable business
interventions.

We have proposed various new regulations, integration and
specifications to encourage all stakeholders to build toward an
eco-friendlier tomorrow, maintaining the future cohorts without
negatively impacting the economic prospect of Mumbai. We have
covered a wide range of topics related to urban development, green
design, environmental planning, building vitality, resource efficiency
in energy, water, materials, and waste management.

We have emphasised the environment and ecology as part of MMR’s
overall strategic plan, including many sub-plans, initiatives, and
projects to improve the environmental conditions and reduce energy
use. This Bluebook is a strategic road-map for Mumbai to become
a green metropolis with a one trillion dollar circular economy with
an impetus to green infrastructure, renewable energy, a recycling
ecosystem, green buildings and sustainable materials. We have
outlined various techniques and models that will lead Mumbai’s
urbanisation toward sustainable urban planning, transportation
infrastructure by offering quality of life, air, water and water bodies.
This Blueprint highlights the advanced initiatives, technologies and
strategies along with the difficulties and challenges that Mumbai may
go through to achieve its sustainable-intelligent city goals.

II

The right to the city is far more than the
individual liberty to access urban resources:

it is a right to change ourselves
by changing the city.

~ David Harvey

Introduction T here is an estimation that over 6 billion people
will live in cities by 2050, nearly doubling from
Shrikant Joshi 3.6 billion in 2011. However, it is also projected
that there will be a severe shortage of clean water,
Vice President electricity, and other essential resources in urban areas
CREDAI-MCHI due to exploding populations and fragile economies.
The world is in the most critical challenges of our time
Mumbai due to rampant urbanisation that provides a substantial
opportunity and a significant responsibility for the
private sector. The apex bodies like CREDAI-MCHI
have a greater responsibility at the local, regional, and
national levels, building inclusive, resilient, competitive,
and sustainable cities and communities, which are
essential to achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals by 2040.

It’s encouraging that CREDAI-MCHI has outlined an urban
built environment blueprint for MMR over the next 18 years.
By 2040, the Bluebook: Vision MMR aims to make Mumbai
a world-class sustainable city and modern cosmopolis while
emphasising climate change and carbon neutrality. Further,
Mumbai will become a hub for international trade, finance,
real estate, entertainment, recycling, and technological
innovation. Through this Blue-Book, we are recommending
a smart urban transition with a focus on environmental
protection. We are also suggesting the re-location of polluting
production capacities, reducing carbon footprints, enhancing
water and land protection, and transforming Mumbai into a
sustainable eco-city.

We are confident that this document will lend a helping
hand to the Maharashtra Government and MCGM’s effort
to modernise, maximise, and revolutionise the MMR region.

III

Neither cities nor places in them are unordered,
unplanned; the question is only whose order,
whose planning, for what purpose?

~ Peter Marcuse

Acknowledgement Note

Shri Keval Valambhia There is no planet B. Until we solve and find it, we must sustain
and create a balanced proposition for our mother earth and
COO all living beings. Talking about our own Mumbai Metropolitan
CREDAI-MCHI Region, it is an engine of economic growth and cultural engagement. It
is high time we view MMR as an agent of change.
Mumbai
I thank President CREDAI-MCHI Shri Boman Irani for envisioning this
concept and informing us that we require awareness for a solution-
based approach. Shri Dhaval Ajmera, Hon Secretary, CREDAI-
MCHI deserves our sincere gratitude for his constant guidance and
encouragement.

My sincere thanks to Padma Bhushan Ar. Shri Hafeez Contractor for
mentoring us during the book’s ideation. In addition, I express my
sincere gratitude to Shri Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary
- CMO, whose constant direction and support has made this book
possible. Additionally, I would like to thank him for providing technical
information on the ‘Sustainable Development Framework’.

Also, I want to express my gratitude to Shri Shrikant Joshi for his
encouragement and guidance. To make this blueprint a reality, I
extend our sincere gratitude to Shri Ajoy Mehta, Ex. IAS, Chairman
MahaRERA, Shri MN Srinivasan I.A.S, Commissioner MMRDA, Shri
Iqbal Singh Chahal, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai
Municipal Corporation and Shri Nitin Kareer, I.A.S., ACS Revenue,
GoM, for their valuable insights and ideas. Special Thanks to Titto
Eapen - Chief Editor - Urban Acres, and his team for the creative and
editorial support.

It takes time to create a blueprint of this scale. Preparations begin
months in advance. The real inspiration is a team of motivated and
dedicated people at CREDAI-MCHI and devoted super colleagues.
Special gratitude to Harish Gupta, TD Joseph, Lekha & Satish Kumar;
all of you has been so helpful and willing to take on tasks beyond your
comfort zones that I cannot thank you enough. Apart from them, every
team member of the CREDAI-MCHI office has been out and about for
this task. My sincere gratitude to each one of them.

If time is money, you all have spent millions writing a new chapter for
MMR. Thanks to all of you!

IV

01 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF BOMBAY TO MMR 2
3
1.1 The History of India’s First Urbanisation 8
1.2 From Port to Populous City 11
1.3 Mumbai Matters To The Indian Economy 13
1.4 MMR Beyond 2022
15
CONTENT 02 CURRENT CHALLENGES OF MAXIMUS REGION 17
19
2.1 Penurious Waste Management System 20
2.2 Inadequate Water Resources 23
2.3 Failing Drainage and Ailing Rivers 25
2.4 Rising Pollution Level 26
2.5 Increasing Sea-Level 27
2.6 Uncontrolled Population Density 28
2.7 Lack of Job Opportunity
2.8 Urban-Rich Disparity 29
31
03 A CITY WITH A POTENTIAL OF 33
ONE TRILLION DOLLAR CLEAN ECONOMY 35
37
3.1 Portland to World Financial Power House 39
3.2 Mumbai As Diamond Capital of World 41
3.3 Mumbai A Home To 5000 Years Old Industry
3.4 Mumbai As Health Tourist Hub 45
3.5 Mumbai As Next Innovation Destination 47
3.6 Dharavi Can Drive Recycling Business of the World 48
49
04 TRENDS SHAPING NEW URBANISM 51
53
4.1 Digitalisation of Administration 55
4.2 Walk To Work Culture 57
4.3 Electric Vehicles Eco-System
4.4 Reliance on Renewable Energy
4.5 Better Public Transport System to Resolve Traffic Menace
4.6 E-Bikes, Bicycles, and Sky Walk as Last Mile Connectivity
4.7 Sustainable and Responsible Construction Practice

05 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: MEGA-POSSIBILITIES 59

5.1 4 P Model for Rejuvenation of Water Bodies 61
5.2 Flood City To Sponge City 67
5.3 MMR With Green Cover 69
5.4 Making Mumbai Breathable 72
5.5 Decongesting Mumbai:A Practical Approach 76

06 PEOPLE-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT MODEL 80 CONTENT

6.1 Health 81
6.2 Education 85
6.3 Mobility 89

07 ROBUST INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR 96
SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
97
7.1 Unified Urban Water Authority 98
7.2 Water Credit System 99
7.3 Recycling Policy 101
7.4 Digitalisation of Mumbai 103
7.5 Green Bank for Clean Mumbai 105
7.6 MMR Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (MMRIIFB) 107
7.7 SPV for Port Land Development

08 OUR CALL TO ACTION: KEY 109
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MMR 110
113
8.1 Port Land To Financial City 115
8.2 Turning Gas Chamber into Clean In-City Warehousing 117
8.3 Rationalisation of Premium for Affordable Housing
8.4 Dedicated Skill Ecosystem 119

09 CONCLUSION

BOMBAY’S FAMOUS FORT, CIRCA 1850
By this time, the seven island had been connected to form a

contiguous city. Transforming Bombay’s seven islets into
land fit for a city was a daunting challenge.

Its success created one of the world’s megacities.

1

1 HISTORY

The Transfiguration of
Bombay to MMR

The Birth From The Dowry

The story of India’s first urbanisation began in 1661 when the
seven islands of Bombay were handed over to England by the
Portuguese as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she
married King Charles II. At this point, the city was rechristened as
the Island City and had an approximate population of 10,000. Within
no time, the city emerged as a prominent trading centre, and the
harbour known as Bombay (officially renamed Mumbai in 1996 by
the Maharashtra Government) had developed into a leading local
port by the 17th century.
Due to its natural advantage of a deep-water harbour, the Island City
soon became a centre of trade in India. This led to the economic
growth and industrialization of the city. It had an active shipbuilding
business, enhancing its economy through the export of cotton and the
import of textiles. This provided an excellent opportunity for people
from different trades and specialities, such as goldsmiths, weavers,
ironsmiths, planters, merchants, moneylenders and labours, to come
and work in the city.

2

1.1

The History of India’s
First Urbanisation

Lovji Nusserbanji Wadia 1715-1748

The Boone Effect

In 1715, when Charles Boone became the governor
of Bombay, he undertook the task of constructing walls
from Dongri in the north to Mendham’s point in the
south as part of his implementation of Aungier’s designs
for the island’s fortification. He also built churches and
organised a Marine force. As a result, Bombay saw
the establishment of a mayor’s court in the year 1728.
During the same period, the first reclamation started in
Mahalaxmi, on the creek separating Bombay from Worli,
temporarily. As time progressed to 1735, Bombay also
witnessed the birth of the shipbuilding industry. Lovji
Nusserbanji, a renowned shipbuilder, who relocated
from Surat to Bombay, started the construction of the
first docks and adopted the name Wadia.

During this time, the Marathas had become a significant
power in the Deccan and naturally came into conflict
with the seafaring Portuguese. A long dispute came to
outright war, which resulted in the Battle of Bassein in
1737. In reaction to the Maratha triumph, the British
cleared large areas of the terrain surrounding the fort
walls to create a clear shooting area.

3

1748-1777

The Settling of Bombay

A New Building Regulations came in 1748, under which the authorities
sanctioned the demolition of several homes. The new regulation brought
partial population redistribution and heated the race for supremacy among
Indians. The period also coincided with the conflict between the British, the
French, and the Marathas. During this unsettling time, many British policies
implemented in Bombay focused on this power struggle. It took twenty
years, starting in 1746, for the British empire to improve the Fort on these
recently reclaimed lands. It was only in the year 1769 that Fort George was
built on the site of Dongri Fort. Construction of the Mazagaon docks began
the following year. The British Government established separate English and
Indian quarters within and outside the Fort in 1772.
In the same year, the first Maratha War broke out under the leadership of
Nana Fadnawis and continued till 1775. He was a brilliant Maratha statesman
and administrator who managed to cobble together a coalition of all the
Maratha kingdoms along with the ruler of Mysore princely state Hyder Ali
and the Nizam of Hyderabad into a force against the British. However, the
British broke this coalition through diplomacy and bribery, but they had to
give up all of their territories under the terms of the Treaty of Sabai in 1782
in exchange for Salsette, Elephanta, Karanja and Hog Island.

The British Fort In Bombay – Antique Plan 1755

In 1769, Fort George was built as an extension of the fortifications of Bombay (now Mumbai), in
order to strengthen the defenses of the area. It was built in place of the erstwhile Dongri Fort.

4

Old Bombay Map1780-1815

The Reclamation

The first significant reclamation work was the Hornby
Wellard project at Breach Candy, to build a causeway
to unite all seven islands of Bombay. It was completed
in 1784 during the Governorship of William Hornby;
the reclamation connected Bombay’s main island to
Worli and prevented floods at every high tide in the
flat lands north of Bombay. In the beginning, the East
India Company’s President and Council were directly
responsible for the civil administration of Bombay.
However, the end of the 18th century marked the
establishment of a regular civil administration. It was
necessary since, in 1794, based on a count, there were
1000 houses inside the fort walls and 6500 outside.

A crowded town had grown north of
the walled Fort and the eastern port
district of the British city. In 1803, a fire
raged through the Indian section of this
town and destroyed many localities. The
tragedy was to have a positive impact by
allowing the city the scope to rebuild to a
higher standard. Residents were already
paying taxes to the civil authorities for
street maintenance and cleaning. In 1812,
according to an Ordinance passed, among
other things, it provided for the demolition
of encroachments.

5

1815-1840

The Business City

In 1818, Montstua Elphinstone became the Commissioner Malabar Hill, Bombay.
of the Deccan, and during his time, the communications Mt Elphinstone built 1st Bungalow in
system between Bombay and its hinterland became much Malabar Hill during his governorship (1818-27)
more sophisticated. The existence of such communication,
in turn, fueled commerce through Bombay’s port.
Between 1819 and 1827, Elphinstone served as Governor
of Bombay. He was the first to construct a bungalow on
Malabar Hill for himself. This started the process of wealthy
residents leaving the central Fort, and the completion of
the Colaba Causeway in 1838 accelerated this process.

1840 -1900

The Collapse of The Great Wall

The year 1844 witnessed the start of the Cotton Exchange in Colaba, which soon became a
prominent commercial area. During the same period, Lady Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy of Arabia donated
the sum required to build a causeway connecting Mahim to Sion. In 1845, Sir Bartle Frere became
the Governor of Bombay and had the Fort’s walls demolished in 1864. The old wall is now only a
part of the boundary wall of St. George Hospital, near the Victoria Terminus. This act allowed the
city’s core to be rebuilt with money from the cotton boom. Modernisation of the transportation
system also became a requirement as with these developments, the distances between cities grew
and time demanded proper and efficient modes of travel.

6

1901-1950

The New Wave

In 1901, Jamsetji Tata became the first Indian to
own a car, and by 1911 motor-driven taxis were
already plying in Bombay. The first motorised bus
ran between the Afghan church and Crawford
market on July 15, 1926. In February 1925, trains
began running on the harbour line. Soon the
electrification of the railways followed. Moreover,
several city planning agencies came into play with
the plague epidemics, leading to the city’s gradual
reimaging. The City Improvement Trust built the
Dadar, Matunga, Wadala, and Sion suburbs to
house approximately 200,000 people. Brand-new
roads linked the city centre to the suburbs. By
1925, electrified suburban trains ran throughout
the city, and many northern suburbs were already
under construction. The new urban rich Indians
and Bombay merchants funded the independence
movement, and the famous outcry for the British
to leave India was first enunciated at the Gowalia
Tank Maidan at the base of the Malabar Hills in
August 1942. Finally, on August 15, 1947, India
gained independence at midnight, becoming a free
country.

7

1.2

From Port to Populous City

India gained independence and retained the territory of the Bombay Presidency to form
the Bombay State. Bombay State grew in size after several former princely states which
joined the Indian union were absorbed into the state. As a result, the city became the
capital of Bombay State. The Greater Bombay Municipal Corporation was formed in
April 1950 by merging the Bombay Suburban District and Bombay City. Therefore, it is
critical to understand the early development of Mumbai’s suburban areas from a historical
standpoint and an economic and labour market standpoint.

8

Mumbai’s wealth has its roots in its historical Mumbai has grown from an ancient fishing
colonial past, textile mills, and seaports from the community to a colonial trade centre to
1960s to the 1980s. However, since the 1980s, the become South Asia’s largest city and the home
local economy has diversified. Modern industrial of the world’s most prolific film industry.
infrastructure and a large, skilled labour force
make Mumbai home to most of India’s specialised Economic development, however, came at
technical industries. the expense of high population density in the
city centre and suburbs. The 1960s population
As one of the biggest economic centres in India, distribution presented an intriguing scenario,
Mumbai employs 10% of the country’s factory with the island and suburbs equally sharing.
workers and accounts for 40% of its foreign trade. In the next five decades, suburban growth
Another set of formalised workers in Mumbai is accelerated, increasing density. Nonetheless,
the Government and state employees. In addition, effective planned development of suburbs
the city is now the commercial capital of India and has not taken off as planned due to a lack of
a global financial centre. supporting infrastructure and a sound policy
environment for developing residential and
commercial nodes.

For lucidity, the migration volume greater
than 50,000 people is shown, and the migrant
destinations are accordingly sized based on the
in-migration volume. The pace of migration
between the decades 2001 and 2011 for two
major sources (Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar
(BR)) and destinations (Maharashtra (MH) and

Delhi (DL)) is provided in the inset.

Pattern of flow of inter-state migration
shows the highest migration to Mumbai

9

Mumbai’s economy has seen a significant gap, the informal sector has absorbed former
shift in employment patterns over the last mill and manufacturing workers.
four decades due to its high population
density. The tertiary sector now accounts Most male migrants arriving in Mumbai (49.1%)
for nearly 81% of total job opportunities. work in “production-related jobs as it can absorb
In addition, the development of the financial most of the semi-skilled and unskilled workers
industry aided the development of other with low educational qualifications. Extensive
industries, such as telecommunications, construction and public works projects in Greater
construction, and real estate. As a result, Mumbai have rendered migrants indispensable
informal sector employment (wage to the city’s economy, filling the demand for low-
labourers, hawkers) has grown faster than wage and unskilled labour. Despite this, they are
formal sector employment, increasing fundamentally changing the way they live. Slums
its share of total employment over time. recently co-existed with better-off residential
Because formal-sector jobs in the services complexes in Mumbai, with the poor living close
sector have not grown enough to fill the to their workplaces.

Units In Millions

21 21
20.7

20.5 20.4
20.2
20
20 19.8

19.5 19.5 Year
19.3 Population
19.1
Source: World Population Review
19 18.7 18.9 2022 20,961,472
2021 20,667,656
18.5 18.5 2020 20,411,274
2019 20,185,064
18 2018 19,979,956
2017 19,756,048
17.5 2016 19,534,652
2015 19,315,736
17 2014 19,099,274
2013 18,885,238
16.5 2012 18,673,600
2011 18,464,334
16

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
The Mumbai Population 2022

10

1.3

Mumbai Matters
To The Indian
Economy

Mumbai has transformed from a textile civilisation to
a commerce and finance capital. Today the city is the
entertainment, fashion and commercial centre of
India. Mumbai is the largest economy in India. As of
2022, The Financial Capital of India tops the list with
an estimated GDP of $310 billion. Mumbai accounts
for slightly more than 6.16% of India’s economy,
contributing 10% of factory employment, 33% of
income tax collections, 45% of Entertainment Tax,
60% of customs duty collections, 20% of central
excise tax collections, 40% of foreign trade, 100%
of stock market assets and rupees 1,60,000 crore
(US$20 billion) in corporate taxes to the Indian
economy.

11

It is the wealthiest Indian city and the 12th most infrastructure, which includes everything from
prosperous city in the world, with a net wealth of modern, air-conditioned department stores to
around US$1 trillion with 46,000 millionaires and traditional bazaars and open-air roadside stalls.
48 billionaires. Some of India’s most prominent Furthermore, the city has remained a centre
and wealthy industrial conglomerates, such as of learning and education. Mumbai is home
the Aditya Birla Group, Godrej, and Tata & to many prestigious institutions, including
Sons, are based in Mumbai. In recent history, the University of Mumbai, SNDT Women’s
the city has become a hub for the diamond, University, Indian Institute of Technology,
computer, and film industries. Today Mumbai Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC),
has become an entertainment capital in terms Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),
of sheer numbers; Mumbai, or “Bollywood,” and National Center for Software Technology
produces more movies than any other city in (NCST). A major research centre for medicine
the world, including Hollywood. Besides, most and related sciences is the Haffkine Institute.
of India’s specialised technical industries, such
as aerospace, optical engineering, medical Also, Mumbai is home to more than 1,000
research, electronic equipment, shipbuilding healthcare facilities, including highly specialised
and salvaging, and renewable energy, have hospitals such as Hinduja, Nanavati and
their headquarters in Mumbai. It is also Dhirubhai Ambani. These hospitals serve as a
home to the Reserve Bank of India, BSE and healthy ecosystem for various communities,
numerous Indian corporations. Besides, states, and countries. A total of 17 city hospitals
Mumbai is one of India’s most popular shopping are available to the poor in Mumbai. BCCI, the
destinations, catering to diverse customers. world’s most prosperous cricket organisation,
The city has the most sophisticated shopping is based in Mumbai. Wankhede Stadium hosts
several international matches.

MUMBAI’S CCoonnttrriibbuuttiioonn ttoo IInnddiiaa’’ss EEccoonnoommyy
EECCOONNOOMMYYMUMBAI’S
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Manufacturing Others Income Custom Central excise
Manufacturing Others Inctaoxme Cduustiteosm Cendtruasltieexscise
duties
Textiles Call centres tax dusties
Textiles Call centres
Synthetic fibre Off shore 4400%% 2200%% 3311%%
Synthetic fibre Obaffnskhinogre
Rubber bceantkriensg
Rubber centres
Plastics Software
Plastics Sdeovftewloaprement
Pharmaceuticals dfoervoevloeprsmeeanst
Pharmaceuticals fcoormopvaenrsieesas
Chemicals companies
Chemicals
Fertilisers of foreign trade of India’s of India’s
Fertilisers oifsfohraenigdnledtrabdye orgaonfisIneddias’esctor loofmInsdaiare’sin
Miusmhbaanidcleitdy bpyort eomrgpalnoiyseeedssaercetoinr looMmusmabraei in
Mumbai city port emplMoyuemebsaaire in
Mumbai
Mumbai

International Workshop on Sustainable City Region, 2011
International Workshop on Su1s2tainable City Region, 2011

1.4 Map MMR

MMR Beyond 2022

Mumbai has undergone several changes to
become India’s financial capital in the 20th and
21st centuries. As India’s most famous business
hub, it has attracted large volumes of people
seeking employment and has grown from the
Island City of 157 square kilometres (km 2) to the
modern-day sprawl of 6,355 km2 (Map MMR).
The influx of people has increased the MMR
population to more than 20 million. This has
created a unique set of challenges for one of the
world’s most densely populated cities. Presently,
while most jobs are in central Mumbai, most of
the population resides in Mumbai suburban and
surrounding districts within the MMR.

Since planning and legislation are primarily
based on land use and not project integration,
the MMR’s urban planning is not living up to the
complexities of the mega-city of the millennium.
London, for example, develops not only a spatial
plan but also an economic, environmental, and
transportation strategy. As far as Mumbai is
concerned, such integration does not exist,
and citizens are not involved in urban planning.
While the city has advanced far beyond that,
the financial capital still relies on 50-60-year-old
colonial legislation.

13

Furthermore, modern urban planning has endangered the
city’s indigenous communities and other communities living
in informal settlements. The development plan ignores the
poor and gender issues. There is an imbalance between
planning and the ecosystem in Mumbai’s environment.
Providing norms per capita is a mistake that dates back to
the 1960s and 1970s and is no longer relevant in Mumbai
in 2022. Environmental planning for urban development is
even more significant, with an impetus to the significance
of climate change. The CSTET study, for example, predicts
that Mumbai will receive more rainfall in the coming years, as
well as higher maximum and lower minimum temperatures.
This scenario provides numerous opportunities for urban
planners to examine how infrastructure interacts with the
environment.

Almost all city planning issues result from a governance
structure that has not evolved. In Mumbai, 55% of the
population lives in slums, which lack affordable housing.
Addressing informal housing is an essential concern for
Mumbai since most slum clusters are located in areas at
risk from climate change. However, in the absence of a skill
upgrade ecosystem or wage progression metrics, the idea
of moving unorganised workers into formal housing is futile.
There has to be a mechanism whereby the unorganised
labour can improve their lives and lifestyles on their own.

In a nutshell, there is a vast scale to the problem compounded
by political choices and governance structures. Despite this,
a complete re-urbanisation is possible with the participation of
planners, private players, and citizens. Defining macro-level issues
and implementing decentralisation in planning have become
imperative for the city. It is impossible to develop a comprehensive
approach in Mumbai until the town becomes comprehensive
institutionally.

Mumbai also suffers massively from transport problems and
the need for better housing. Mumbai’s rail system is one of
the busiest in the world. At peak times, the trains carry more
than three times their permitted capacity. At the same time,
reducing the impact of poverty in Mumbai is another critical
challenge for the city administration, along with achieving the
sustainable mission.

14

2

Current Challenges of
Maximus Region

15

A n increasingly fragmented and polarised
metropolitan space is transforming Mumbai’s
social, economic, and political landscape. A prominent
indicator of persistent social inequalities in postcolonial
Mumbai is the tortuous flow of water and waste. In
recent years, rapid urban growth with the dominance
of middle-class interests within a denuded public
realm has exacerbated the city’s incipient water and
waste infrastructure weaknesses. These incipient
weaknesses were rooted in the colonial era but have
aggravated due to the rapid urban growth. Mumbai’s
water and sanitation crisis has to analyse from the
urban divide.

Mumbai is a city of striking contrasts: Nariman Point
is surrounded by glittering towers and opulent hotels,
along with elite neighbourhoods like Juhu, Worli,
and Malabar Hill, informal settlements and armies of
pavement dwellers form neat rows along city streets
at night. Nevertheless, according to some estimates,
over half of the 20 million residents of the MMR live in
slums, which appear on city maps as amorphous grey
areas along roads and railway lines, and extend into
some of the most polluted, insalubrious places next to
creeks and remnants of lush mangrove forests. Access
to clean water, waste management, and deteriorating
air quality are just a few examples of inequalities and
injustices in contemporary Mumbai.

16

2.1

Penurious Waste
Management System

Spread roughly over roughly 6000 sqm,
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) consists
of 9 municipal corporations. These include
Greater Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali,
Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi- Nizamapur,
Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar, and Panvel. Greater
Mumbai and its suburbs are home to over 2.29
crores people as of 2016, and the numbers keep
increasing daily. The sheer number of people
inhabiting the city result in an unprecedented
amount of waste, which has become one of the
most pressing challenges for local administrations.

In 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) estimated that Greater Mumbai alone
generated about 11,000 tonnes of solid waste
per day. Efforts toward innovation, scientific
disposal of waste, and promotion of ‘reduce,
reuse, and recycle’ concepts are ongoing but
ineffective in resolving the issue. While garbage
segregation at the household level is seeing an
upward trend, all the garbage collected from
over 5,800 community bins in the city and
other sources finds itself in designated dumping
grounds. Nearly 80%-95% has been trashed
at either the Deonar dumping ground or the
Kanjurmarg landfill site since the closure of the
Mulund dumping ground in 2018.

17

The waste management in Greater Mumbai ground have spread hazardous smoke and
remains a largely manual operation operated fumes across the city. As the city is constantly
by 30,000-35,000 personnel. They collect under construction, debris disposal is a massive
waste in various shifts using a fleet of 800- issue. Now, the city is forced to deal with a
1000 vehicles, some of which are hired from new nemesis - COVID-19-related biomedical,
private contractors. On an average day, waste often hazardous, waste.
management operatives and vehicles make
about 2000 trips collecting and transporting Before the pandemic, the Maharashtra
garbage and debris across the city to the Pollution Control Board estimates indicate that
dumping grounds. Set up in 1927, Deonar is Mumbai generated around 10,000 to 17,000 kg
said to be Asia’s most considerable dumping of biomedical waste daily. An incinerator with
ground and the oldest in India. It spans 134 a 24,000 kg per day capacity at the treatment
hectares, and garbage sometimes rises as high facility at Deonar dumping ground was used to
as 18 to 20 floors. treat biomedical waste.

The waste is unsegregated, which has resulted Besides syringes, blood-soaked tissues, swabs,
in nearby slum communities scavenging the and medicines, the dumping ground saw an
dumping ground for recyclable materials at influx of COVID-19-related masks, gloves, and
significant risk to their health. Simply living PPE suits, raising alarm bells over handling the
close to the dumping ground is a health hazard, hazardous waste. The numbers went from
with unimaginably unhygienic, filthy living 6500 kg in March to close to 1,00,000 kg in
conditions. Diseases due to toxic air fumes and April, with contagious COVID-19-related
contaminated water are commonplace. Over waste collected and dumped at Deonar from
the years, several fires in the Deonar dumping containment zones, quarantine, and isolation
centres.

18

2.2

Inadequate Water Resources

D rinking water in Mumbai comes from its prized
reservoirs: Tulsi, Tansa, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak
Sagar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna. Though
the city has historically planned and managed its water
supply systems effectively, it was not designed to cope
with its massive population influx. As a result, water
demand is rising while the reservoirs remain dependent
on rainwater to fulfil the growing city’s needs and its
populace. Consequently, any fluctuation in rainfall can
severely impact supply. Often, Mumbai’s suburban
regions bear the brunt. As a result, authorities routinely
announce 10% to 15% water cuts. Water infrastructure
in Mumbai is over a century old and prone to leaks
and bursts due to years of damage. Estimates place
water wastage due to leaks and bursts at 20% to 25%.
Contamination of water sources, too, is a significant
issue, leading to bacterial infestations and seasonal
water-borne diseases. Besides, there is glaring inequity
in the way water is distributed. Wealthy localities and
gated communities often receive a 24/7 water supply
or resort to buying water at a premium from private
suppliers. However, lower-income neighbourhoods
often do not have the same privileges. At best, water
supply is available a few hours a day. While water issues
in Mumbai might be manageable for the moment, the
growing population and uncertainty in rainfall due
to climate change might intensify the problem very
shortly. Moreover, the lack of incentives for saving
water, moderate use, or even rainwater harvesting will
compound the issue further.

19

2.3

Failing Drainage and
Ailing Rivers

A lmost every year, when the city floods during
rains, the failures of the drainage system become
too glaring to ignore. However, considering that the
system dates back to the 1860s when the population
was a fraction of what it is today, it has held up well.
The archaic British-era system was designed to
deal with 25 mm rainfall. In August 2017, Mumbai
experienced 315.8 mm of rainfall in 12 hours.

The city’s existing stormwater drainage system
is a complex web of simple drains, rivers, creeks,
and ponds. According to one research paper, the
somewhat outdated grid consists of a hierarchical
system of roadside surface drains, underground
drains and laterals, major and minor canals, and over
180 outfalls. Mumbai’s Mithi river happens to be an
essential part of this system.

However, years of encroachment upon the river’s
banks and dumping of solid waste have disrupted
the river’s stormwater drainage system, blocking up
significant arteries. Further damage is done by the
factories along the catchment area that discharge
untreated sewage, wastewater, and industrial
effluents into the river. The 2005 Mumbai floods
were the first time the city saw the devastating
impact of years of abuse the river had suffered.

Since then, almost every monsoon, Mumbai has
struggled to stay afloat. Almost every year, an
outdated drainage system, destruction of the natural
barriers against climate change, and unsustainable
urbanisation challenge Mumbai’s capacity to cope
with heavy monsoons and climate change with no
relief.

20

Mithi River

The Mithi River receives the loftiest amount of Dry Weather Flow (DWF) at 285 ML per day which
is followed by the Poisar river at 67 ML per day. While the DWF for the Dahisar river and the
Oshiwara-Walbut river is 56 MLD and 17 MLD, respectively.

Over 700 megaliters of untreated sewage are discharged daily into four of Mumbai’s rivers. In a
recent appeal petition filed by the BMC in the Supreme Court, the city body has acknowledged an
aggregate of 747 megaliters (a single megaliter comprising 10 lakh litres) of untreated sewage water
is released into Mumbai’s four significant rivers daily. The marine ecosystem and biodiversity have
been adversely affected by effluent discharge and poor sewage management, causing severe health
concerns. In addition, the accumulated debris from the 17.9 -kilometre long Mithi river, at its mouth
near Mahim, can make most people nauseous. However, all the efforts made in the last two decades
have failed, and the rivers have snapped all the connections.

There is no system to report river health, which is the biggest challenge to the whole issue. A recent
survey shows the levels of faecal coliform bacteria, usually found in human and animal excreta 180
times higher than the defined standards. The drug-resistant E. coli bacteria found in the human gut
are also higher in all the four rivers. The traces of Eutrophication are also very high in all the four
rivers. The other major concern is the vast presence of Water Hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant
which alters the water balance of entire regions. Water Hyacinth is also a primary culprit in lending a
helping hand to creating a breeding ground for the mosquitoes. Water Hyacinth and Eutrophication
affect the oxygen levels in the water, which subsequently kills submarine’s life.

FactSheet

Maharashtra tops the list of the maximum number of polluted river stretches in India.
The primary reason for such a dire situation is the untreated sewage discharge in
rivers. Sewage generation in the state of Maharashtra is not only palpable but also
disproportionate to the installed treatment capacity.

According to the estimation of Centre for Science and Environment, sewage generation
in Maharashtra is 9,107 MLD and installed treatment capacity is 6,890 MLD, which is
only 75 per cent of the total sewage water generated in the state. Out of 6,890 MLD
installed treatment capacity, only 6,366 MLD is operational treatment capacity, 70 per
cent of the total sewage generation. Therefore, it shows a gap of 2,741 MLD (30 per
cent) in treatment capacity.

CSE also observes that despite 6,366 MLD of operational sewage treatment capacity,
its actual utilisation is only 4,242 MLD. Moreover, there is still a vacant sewage
treatment capacity of 2,124 MLD.

21

Oshiwara River

Oshiwara River is also known as the Walbhat River. It
originates from the Aarey colony near Sanjay Gandhi
National Park sifts through the Goregaon hills and
embarks on a journey of 7 kilometres to finally meet
the Malad creek. The total catchment area of Oshiwara
River is around 2,938 ha. According to a 2005 official
data, 53 per cent of the catchment area constitute slums
which accounts for 23 per cent share.

Poisar River

Poisar (Poincar) River also start from the Sanjay
Gandhi National Park and commutes for about 7 km to
commence its journey at the Marve Creek. Almost 53
per cent of its catchment is slum built-up as per the data
of 2005. However, in 2022 the slum built-up area in the
catchments of these rivers will be much higher than the
official estimate of 2005.
Together, all these four rivers build the natural stormwater
drainage (SWD) system of Mumbai carries the excess
rainwater from various areas of the City. Mumbai
receives heavy annual rainfall of over 2,400 mm within
the four months of June, July, August and September, and
this natural drainage system is essential for the City’s
survival.

Dahisar River

Dahisar River is Mumbai’s third river that originates
from Tulsi Lake inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
traverses the expanse across the northern suburbs while
covering a distance of 12 km to meet the sea at Manori
Creek. The total catchment area of the Dahisar River is
around 3,488 ha, where the slum built up accounts for
24 per cent.
Poisar (Poincar) River also start from the Sanjay
Gandhi National Park and commutes for about 7 km to
commence its journey at the Marve Creek. Almost 53
per cent of its catchment is slum built-up as per the data
of 2005. However, in 2022 the slum built-up area in the
catchments of these rivers will be much higher than the
official estimate of 2005.
Together, all these four rivers build the natural stormwater
drainage (SWD) system of Mumbai carries the excess
rainwater from various areas of the City. Mumbai receives
heavy annual rainfall of over 2,400 mm within the four
months of June, July, August and September, and this
natural drainage system is essential for the City’s survival.

22

Source: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)2.4

Rising Pollution Level
I n February 2022, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) indicated that Mumbai

was almost at par with Delhi’s AQI. Mumbai’s AQI hovered between 316 and
320; anything between 300 and 400 is classified as ‘red’ or ‘inferior’ air quality.
While these numbers were alarming enough, data coming in from Mazgaon,
one of Mumbai’s most polluted regions, indicated an AQI of 495, putting it
in one of the most ‘severe’ categories. The higher the AQI, the worse the air
pollution and the more severe and acute the health risks.
Though Mumbai is a windswept coastal city, where strong sea breezes regularly
clean out bad air, it ranks among the top 20 most polluted cities worldwide.

23

One of the most significant contributors to Mumbai’s deteriorating Air Quality
Index (AQI) is the city’s industrial clusters’ massive reliance on coal. A recent
study by a Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
estimates that factories in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) burn close
to 2 million tonnes of coal every year.
Besides industrial sources, a massive increase in vehicles on the road also
contributes to rising pollution. The city’s public transport system is already
bursting at the seams trying to accommodate the growing population.
Additionally, last-mile connectivity is still patchy across the city. This has triggered
an exponential rise in selling small, cheaper cars and low-cc motorcycles.
Especially during COVID-19, when people were looking to avoid contact
with others, car sales increased by almost 30% compared to the pre-COVID
year. Motorcycle sales too rose by about 35%. Studies estimate that vehicular
emissions and related pollution have doubled in the last five years. For a city
constantly under construction, dust, dirt, and debris, too, create particulate
pollutants on a massive scale.
Domestic sources like residential cooking practices in slums without LPG or
clean sources, burning of garbage, wood, cow dung, and other cheap fuels, too,
compounds Mumbai’s pollution woes. Add to this regular garbage burning in
the city’s landfills, and the problem is no longer a localized issue. Instead, fumes
and smoke carry across the city, impacting respiratory health and visibility,
which can also cause road accidents.

24

2.5

Increasing Sea-Level

B eing close to the sea has been a boon Mumbai’s natural defence against rising sea
for Mumbai. Not only did the city have a water - its mangroves - are being systematically
thriving harbour, fishing industry, and tourism destroyed to reclaim the land. The mangroves
advantage, the sea continued to generate strong act like a natural buffer against coastal erosion
breezes that kept Mumbai’s air clean. However, by providing essential ecosystem services such
climate change has reversed Mumbai’s coastal as flood protection, water quality maintenance,
advantage. Mumbai is now at constant risk and habitat for biodiversity. They also help
from the same waters that once helped the city sustain fisheries, one of Mumbai’s most thriving
rise to its place of prominence in the country. industries. Leading scientists globally believe
Already harrowed by Mumbai’s incessant rains, rising sea levels and climate change can cause an
regular floods, open sewers, and many other increase in extreme weather conditions such as
problems, slum dwellers who live close to the droughts and floods. Mumbai has already been
ocean in Mumbai have to now deal with rising experiencing erratic rain; sometimes, it rains
sea levels too. A US-based non-profit estimates continuously for days, flooding the city, while at
that by 2050 about 300 million people across other times, rain is conspicuously absent during
the globe will be at risk of coastal flooding. the monsoons. Temperatures are also fluctuating,
with scorching summers and uncharacteristically
For Mumbai, this means critical infrastructure cold winters becoming commonplace in the city.
and popular locations like the Haji Ali dargah,
Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust, Western Express
Highway, Bandra-Worli Sea-link, and Queen’s
Necklace on Marine Drive are at a definite risk
of submergence. Damages by 2050 are pegged
at over $50 billion. By 2070, this figure could
go up by as much as three times. According to
estimates, around 1000 buildings and 24 km of
road length in Mumbai will be affected by the
sea level rise predicted for 2050. During high
tides in the city, the numbers will go up to 2500
buildings and 126 km of road length.

25

2.6

Uncontrolled Population Density

Mumbai’s evolution from the seven islands
to the harbour city to the country’s
financial capital has undoubtedly triggered a
massive population expansion. The migrant
population has especially exploded in Mumbai,
given the city’s abundant employment and
business opportunities. Estimates indicate that
Mumbai’s population has more than doubled
since 1991. This has given rise to a very high
density of population, a majority of which took
to the city’s slums for accommodation. Studies
also indicate that between 1991 and 2018, there
has been a 99.9% increase in the city’s built-up
area. However, in 27 years, Mumbai also lost
about 60% of open spaces, 40% of its green
cover, and 26% of its water bodies.

The inequity gap between the privileged and the As urban sprawl in Mumbai can only head
underprivileged is widening at an alarming rate. north, suburbs in North Mumbai, too, are
If estimates from 2020 are to be believed, about experiencing a population influx, putting the
65% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums. Mumbai transport system under duress at peak
Mumbai has approximately 73,000 people per hours. Cheap housing far away from Greater
square mile in population density, making it the Mumbai, cramped trains and busses to and from
4th most populous city in the world. Certain work, and bumper-to-bumper traffic jams are
densely populated areas, such as Asia’s largest an everyday reality for most Mumbai residents.
slum Dharavi have a higher population density of Space is undoubtedly a luxury in Mumbai.
869,565 per square mile. Because Mumbai has
limited land, the price premium associated with
accommodation is exceptionally high, forcing
individuals to rent tiny, cramped rooms far away
from the city’s heart for a relatively high price.

26

2.7

Lack of Job Opportunity

T he massive population and limited boys who experienced a mass exodus of labour
resources impact has created heavy during the lockdowns.
competition for jobs in Mumbai, leading to For the thousands graduating every year or
lowered opportunities. Though Mumbai is still arriving in Mumbai from smaller towns and
considered the financial capital of the county, cities across the country, there are hardly
the epicentre of new-age, skilled jobs is slowly any jobs that can sustain the standard of life
but surely shifting to cities like Bangalore, in Mumbai. Moreover, the creation of newer
Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gurugram. As a jobs has slowed significantly, giving other Indian
result, the unemployment rate in India rose cities an edge over Mumbai.
to nearly 8% in April 2022, the trickly down
impact of which was felt in Mumbai too. Even for available jobs, accessibility is an issue.
For example, the public transport system and
As the entertainment, fashion, and commercial long commutes force more and more elderly
centre of India, Mumbai has historically never out of the workforce. There has also been a
had a problem with a lack of jobs. However, steady decrease in the number of women
COVID-19 indeed hit the city hard. For freshers in the workplace due to rampant pay gaps,
and experienced job seekers alike, the situation discrimination, and, sometimes, harassment.
is grim. As soon as the pandemic hit, companies
started sacking people, slashing salaries, and
putting openings on hold. Lockdowns forced
people to shut businesses for extended periods,
putting immense financial strain on households
across the city.

Lack of work during the lockdowns also forced
Mumbai’s unskilled migrant labour populace to
head back to their native towns under appalling
conditions. Moreover, Mumbai’s entertainment
industry creates lakhs of jobs for set decorators,
set assistants, make-up assistants, and spot

27

2.8

Urban-Rich Disparity

In 2019, studies indicated that Mumbai holds Worth Individuals. Much of Mumbai’s prosperity
almost $1 trillion in private wealth. Nevertheless, comes from its billionaire population and the
a 2020 report says that about 65% of Mumbai’s stock exchange, making the disparity stark.
population lives in slums. So there is massive Though Mumbai has long held the reputation for
inequity between the rich and the poor in Mumbai. its spirited, welcoming social fabric and status as
The contrast is unmissable. The city has a lean a world-class city open for all, it is one of India’s
land mass surrounded by water on three sides. least homogenous urban spaces. Even though
For reasons explored in this chapter, Mumbai has the rich and poor in Mumbai share the same
historically attracted money, business and trade geographical space, they operate in different
opportunities, and human resources. It is home economic, physical, and social realms. Multiple
to the most powerful industries, the wealthiest realities exist in the same physical plane.
individuals, the most premium land parcels, and
the poorest slums in the world. Skyscrapers and With the city undergoing massive ‘metamorphosis’
slums coexist; Mumbai is not subtle about its and gentrification, the wealthy are finding more
inequity problem. and more of the city agreeable to their tastes.
The poor, however, are increasingly finding
Stories of gut-wrenching poverty, hunger, their current living standards unviable as the city
malnutrition, joblessness, and lack of civic evolves. As a result, opportunities are increasingly
amenities such as water and sanitation exist in the being drawn away from ordinary citizens,
same sphere as the city’s 1600 Ultra High Net exposing them to disproportionate risks.

In many ways, Mumbai is a prime example of
splintered urbanism, where most infrastructure
and services are concentrated in wealthy areas,
while the poor lack even the most essential
services. Moreover, the inaccessibility is not
to be blamed on a lack of resources; the
imbalance and unequal distribution of resources
between the rich and the poor fragment society,
continually widening the chasm between wealth
and poverty.

28

3

A City With a Potential of
One Trillion Dollar Clean Economy

29

Mumbai is Maharashtra’s economic hub, accounting for roughly
half of the state’s GDP, estimated at $350-400 billion. By 2030,
India’s GDP could exceed $10 trillion. Nonetheless, India lacks a
city comparable to New York, Tokyo, or Shanghai, which is unusual
for such a large and economically vibrant country. These cities have
higher economies than Canada and Indonesia, each contributing
more than a tenth of the country’s GDP. Due to its dominant role in
the service industry, particularly finance, Mumbai’s economy must
triple to achieve a 1 trillion GDP.

According to the RBI data, Maharashtra’s GDP shows a growth of
12% and has grown from INR 17.8 lakh Cr in 2014-15 to INR 24.97
lakh Cr in 2017-18. If the state maintains its current growth rate of
12%, it will only reach USD 785 billion in constant currency by 2025.
Assuming that Mumbai contributes half of the GDP, the city needs a
3X growth rate over the next eight years to become a trillion-dollar
economy by 2030. Business-as-usual (BAU) will not get Mumbai
there, but the appropriate policy frameworks can increase growth.
Consequently, the city must redesign its infrastructure, population
density, and urban transportation to compete with Singapore and
Shanghai for the relocation of global banks and other world-class
financial firms.

Additionally, legal adjustments are essential, especially for removing
the uncertainties and complexities around taxation for financial
services firms, as this is one of the reasons for most of the local
fund-management industry’s relocation to Singapore. Mumbai will
also need to develop a first-rate system for resolving commercial
disputes. This includes everything from fast-track courts to
international arbitration. Equally crucial, the chaotic city must
develop an efficient core – a business district appealing enough to
big global corporations to want to locate there.

30

3.1

Portland to World Financial
Power House

As the Middle East and China embark on geopolitical turmoil,
Asian financial hubs like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore may
lose their lustre as the premier locations for international financial
institutions and financial activity. In such a context, Mumbai has
the potential to become the world’s next economic powerhouse,
but this is easier said than done. Especially considering the federal
frameworks, overlapping Jurisdiction, and limited state capacity make
it more challenging to implement a plan. Therefore, the need is to
enhance collaboration amongst Government entities to redevelop
Port Trust Land into a Financial City, as it will fully integrate the
neighbourhood with the rest of the city.

31

The city’s port spans over 900 hectares along Case Study - Canary Wharf
the city’s prime eastern waterfront. There is,
however, no activity in this area as shipping and The City of London, with its 290
related activities have relocated elsewhere in hectares, is the most significant example
the country. So far, redevelopment plans have of converting ideals into reality. Canary
concentrated on infrastructure, such as a cruise Wharf, London’s new financial centre, is
ship terminal. A simple joint initiative of Centre- little over 40 hectares in size. Similarly to
State has the potential to redevelop these large Mumbai, London’s port was affected by
parcels of land lying idle into an efficient, dense, containerised trade in the 1960s. Soon after,
walkable financial city. In addition to providing the entire port closed, the Government, the
excellent quality of life and green spaces, the transportation authority, and the property
city will demonstrate what can be accomplished developer worked together to redevelop
through revitalising the dead portland. A grandiose and transform the area into a worldwide
proposal like transforming the waterfront into financial hub. With its physical infrastructure,
a financial hub can arouse the imaginations of the city has developed into a global financial
bureaucrats, bankers, and citizens. centre housing most of the big banks. This
is because fund managers, wealth advisors,
Mumbai’s dock is only one of several neglected or and banks prefer to locate where there is
underutilised public spaces. India’s railways, ports, ease in moving capital around the world.
defence services, and state-owned enterprises Singapore’s central business district in Asia
own hundreds of hectares. All of this need strategic occupies 184 hectares, whereas Dubai’s
reconsideration, as they are now unproductive and International Financial Centre occupies 45
of no use, as they sit in the middle of a megacity hectares.
like Mumbai. The transformation of the ancient
port land into an International Financial Region
has the potential to liberate far broader tracts of
land across the cities, enhancing the economy and
substantially improving the city’s quality of life.

Central Business District, Singapore

32

3.2

Mumbai As Diamond
Capital of World

A frica, Russia, and Canada produce most of
the world’s diamonds. However, a mined
diamond begins its journey on the streets of
Antwerp, Belgium, before continuing to Surat. It
becomes a sparkling polished stone here. Surat
is responsible for most of the raw stone cutting
and polishing in its numerous businesses, while
Mumbai distributes and exports the expensive
items in the Diamond Bourse. Mumbai must
now travel both forward and backward in the
diamond sector value chain. Mumbai has the
potential to become the Antwerp and Surat of
the diamond industry. Mumbai can become a
hub for raw material suppliers with the correct
legal framework, then many diamantaire to
Mumbai. Such a proposal will save merchants
much money who would otherwise have to
travel to Dubai or Belgium to purchase raw
materials.

Mumbai may also explore establishing a one-
of-a-kind park to recapture the centuries-old
diamond-cutting and polishing industry from the
overcrowded clusters of Surat. An integrated
park like will not only put the diamond bourse
closer to the polishing industry but also ensure
rapid growth for the export markets.

33

This image is for Representational purpose

Furthermore, there should be a marketplace The business requires a Mega Common Facility
where buyers and Indian sellers can meet Centre (CFC) within the Santacruz Electronic
worldwide. Because of the poor working Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) Special
conditions in Surat’s diamond cutting and Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mumbai. A Common
polishing industries, an inclusive park with Facility Centre combines high-end, capital-
custom offices and a dedicated talent intensive, cutting-edge gear and equipment. As
ecosystem will entice Gujarat’s diamantaires. a result, small and medium-sized manufacturing
units could benefit by paying modest fees and
Mumbai can also capitalise on the recent reducing production costs. In addition, the
surge in demand for lab-produced diamonds gigantic CFC would facilitate the transfer of
in the United States. The city could become technology and re-skilling of existing artisans by
a global hub for lab-grown diamond providing them with training on various elements
manufacturing and processing in this setting. of producing studded jewellery.
According to the Gem & Jewellery Export
Promotion Council’s most recent industry SEEPZ REVITALISATION AND
update, India’s polished lab-produced RECONSTRUCTION
diamond exports totalled over $1.05 billion
from April 2021 to January 2022. It witnessed SEEPZ is one of the largest and oldest export
over 113% growth and is set to rise further processing zones, spanning 111 acres of land.
in the next quarters. Approximately 150 jewellery units employ
50,000 people, but the focus should now be on
India contributes 1.5 million carats to making it the single largest cluster in the country,
the global lab-grown diamond market. if not the world. SEEPZ SEZ has an extensive
This indicates the lab-grown segment’s network of central roadways, a business
tremendous success, demand, and future facilitation centre, a central warehouse, a foreign
potential. Young diamond buyers are smitten post office, an off-shore banking unit, a licenced
with lab-created diamond jewellery as it is foreign exchange dealer, a convention centre,
ecologically friendly and is available at a much an in-house customs clearance facility, and an
cheaper cost than traditional diamonds. uninterrupted power supply. The SEEPZ, at
Millennials and Generation Z account for present, contributes roughly $3 billion to overall
over 70% of lab-made diamond buyers. Gems & Jewellery exports every year. However,
This is the moment for the megacity to with improved infrastructure and services, it will
build an ecosystem to become a sustainable have the ability to contribute $50 billion per year
diamond hub. by 2030.

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3.3

Mumbai A Home To
5000 Years Old Industry

In the same vein, as the Swiss have the watches and
the Germans manufacture automobiles, India has
its jewellery industry right in the heart of Mumbai.
Indian jewellery has been around since 3000-
BC. As of the pre-pandemic phase, the gems and
jewellery industry contributed 7% to the country’s
GDP and 15% to its exports. It is also one of
India’s most export-oriented and labour-intensive
industries, employing over 5 million people. Well
over 60% of all jewellery dealing in India occurs in
Mumbai, in the city centres of Zaveri Bazaar and
Parel. The Zaveri Bazaar accounted for 75-80% of
the country’s bullion trade until six and a half years
ago. When the Maharashtra state Government
placed a 0.1% stamp fee on gold and silver, in
addition to an octroi of 0.1% on gold and 2% on
silver, many traders relocated to Ahmedabad.

However, Zaveri Bazaar has not lost its lustre;
it is still India’s leading jewellery wholesale and
retail market. Scores of jewellery producers, gold
refiners, and bullion brokers operate out of Zaveri
Bazaar, a highly congested bazaar. This is where
an estimated 50% of India’s gold trade occurs
each year. Since it is highly impractical regarding
logistics, security, worker well-being, and business
simplicity, the jewellery industry has considered
moving. However, several ground-level legacy
concerns and bottlenecks hinder the sector’s
expansion and must be resolved quickly to expand
operations.

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The following are the significant There is a need for Mumbai to have a specialised
challenges in the industry: jewellery park that can compete with similar
jewellery parks in China, Turkey, Italy, and
• Poor Working Conditions: Karigars Thailand. In Mumbai, the special park will
are crammed into tiny, crowded rooms combine units scattered throughout areas such
due to severe space limitations, which as Zaveri Bazaar and Parel into a world-class
results in poor working conditions and infrastructure similar to the BDB. Jewellery,
increased hazards. gold, and gems manufacturing parks would
provide a pleasant lifestyle for artists, workers,
• Pollution: In the current working and professionals in the industry, as well as
environment, safely dealing with favourable working conditions. Moreover, a
byproducts of the production process proposal like this could attract $10 billion in
and applying mitigation strategies is not investments.
always practicable, which can lead to
operational disruption. The Government can allocate 20-25 acres
for a dedicated Jewellery park at SEEPZ or
• Increased Logistics Costs: Currently, the redevelopment area of Dharavi closer to
many services are dispersed throughout BKC. In addition to offering low-cost housing
the city, resulting in higher logistical costs. for park workers, the park must be able to
house more than 10,000 production plants and
• Security: Individual firms may be unable offices. Additionally, craftspeople should have
to implement modern security solutions opportunities to train and upskill. A progressive
at a reasonable cost. regulatory framework and an enabling and
supportive policy climate will enable the gems,
• Accessibility Constraints: High diamonds, bullion, and jewellery sector in
population levels and overcrowding in Mumbai to contribute $100 billion to Mumbai’s
modern market areas such as Zaveri GDP by 2030.
Bazaar cause slow traffic flow and create
parking problems.

• Export Issues: Obtaining authorisations
and adhering to export-related
procedures and licencing requirements
can be difficult.

• Lack of Benefit from Operating From
Industrial District: Manufacturers
in cities cannot benefit from lower
operational expenses, such as cheaper
power, which is accessible in a specified
industrial district.

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3.4

Mumbai As Health
Tourist Hub

With its rich cultural legacy, numerous Afghanistan, Oman, Iraq, the Maldives,
attractions, and stunning scenery, India Nigeria, and Kenya are among those that visit
is quickly becoming one of the most popular India for medical treatment.The healthcare
tourist destinations in the world. The travel and sector in India has made enormous progress
tourism industry will contribute $512 billion to over the last 30 years, as evidenced by the
India’s GDP by 2029. It is also a vital pillar of significant accomplishments it has earned.
the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Moreover, tourism Healthcare is one of the largest sources of
is emerging as one of the primary growth income and is rapidly expanding. Both private
drivers among the service industries. India and public agencies are known to support the
is interestingly visited not just for its culture, healthcare sector. In addition, national-level
captivating beauty, and fascinating diversity but health regulations have played an increasingly
also for its high-end healthcare infrastructure significant role in creating a more equitable
and world-class medical treatment. Over the healthcare system while achieving structured
years, India has emerged as a renowned and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
appealing destination for travellers worldwide,
seeking world-class treatment, recharge, and India boasts well-trained medical personnel
rejuvenation. and cutting-edge technology. In addition to the
World Health Organisation (WHO), the US Food
According to the Ministry of Tourism data, and Drug Administration (US FDA) supports
India recorded 186,644 Foreign Tourist Arrivals
(FTAs) for therapeutic purposes in 2020. This
accounts for 7% of total FTAs. People travel for
medical reasons for various reasons, including
the low cost of treatment overseas. They also
travel because of the cultural component of the
healthcare provider, a common language, and
specific procedures unavailable in their home
country. Tourists from Turkey, Bangladesh,

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