Maharashtra Proposes Commercial Development for 16-Acre Worli Dairy Land
The Maharashtra government has proposed to convert the sea-facing Worli Dairy land, spread over nearly 16 acres in central Mumbai, into a commercial zone. This move replaces the earlier reservation for a marine research institute, aquarium, and exhibition center.
The state’s Urban Development Department has issued a notification under Section 37(1AA) of the Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act, 1966, inviting objections and suggestions from the public within one month.
The plot, located in the Worli division, was earlier designated as 'dairy' in the Development Plan 2034 and placed under the residential zone. In 2021, the government modified the designation to mark parts of the land for 'marine research institute, aquarium, exhibition center,' and 'government offices.'
In February 2022, the modification was sanctioned. However, the Growth Hub Governing Council, in its April 2025 meeting chaired by the chief minister, decided to appoint the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the project implementing agency for Worli Dairy. It was resolved that MMRDA would prepare draft planning proposals for the site and submit them to the government for sanction.
In January 2024, MMRDA wrote to the government, highlighting that the land is centrally located in Mumbai and could be developed in a planned manner for mixed land use, generating employment opportunities. The authority requested that the plot be handed over to it and that it be appointed as the special planning authority.
Following this, the government has now proposed the deletion of the earlier reservation for a marine research institute, aquarium, and exhibition center. Instead, the land is proposed to be included in the commercial zone, as specified in the schedule attached to the notification.
The notification states that objections and suggestions to the proposed modification may be submitted within one month from the publication of the notice in the Maharashtra government gazette. These may be forwarded to the deputy director of town planning, Greater Mumbai.
The deputy director of town planning has been authorized to hear objections and suggestions, including those from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, and submit a report to the state government for a final decision.
A part plan showing the proposed modification has been kept open for public inspection at the office of the chief engineer (development plan) in the BMC headquarters and at the office of the deputy director of town planning at Azad Maidan.
