Mumbai: BMC to hold public hearings on Iconic Buildings policy

Art Deco buildings at Marine Drive. FILE PIC/SHADAB KHAN

With 23 suggestions and objections, and a single letter from the NCP-SP with over 2200 signatures from prominent members of the civil society, academicians, and architects for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Iconic Building's policy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to hold public hearings for citizens next week, document objections and submit them to the urban development department (UDD).

Among the signatories are leading conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, comedian Aditi Mittal, actors Ratna Pathak Shah, Anahita Uberoi, Chitra Palekar, Raissa Padamsee, and Dolly Thakore; celebrated artists Atul Dodiya, Anju Dodiya, Sudhir Patwardhan, and Brinda Miller, the latter also known for her role in organising the Kala Ghoda Festival, and in its letter, the NCP (SP) has demanded withdrawal of the policy.

The BMC had proposed a new Regulation 33(27) under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, introduced through a public notice on June 24, 2025, which proposes an Iconic Buildings policy for the development of unique structures across the city. A senior civic official told mid-day, "A public hearing will be conducted next week, as the BMC has finished collating all suggestions and objections. There is a single letter with over 2200 signatures and 23 other individual objections."

Among suggestions and objections, Shirish Sukhatme, a city-based architect, has suggested adding the words "with historical, cultural, religious, linguistic, climatic, environmental, scientific, educational, and religious reference". He has also suggested that the design for Iconic Buildings should be finalised through a competition to avoid corruption. The suggestions also include a skyline review process to review and regulate the impact of such buildings on the city's skyline.

About the proposed policy

>> In March this year, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that a new policy would be introduced in the city to encourage the construction of ‘Iconic Buildings'.

>> This decision is a move to help Mumbai develop ‘world-class architecture and enhance its beauty' by retaining its unique identity that comes from iconic buildings built during the British era.

>> An Iconic Building has been categorised as "any building or space having a unique or distinctive characteristic, shape, size, aesthetic, look, concept, theme, urban design, architectural design, structural design, etc".

>> It cannot be purely residential in nature, and at least 40 per cent of the building should be utilised for a public amenity where a ticket can be purchased by common people, like a public plaza.

>> The building should be accessible to the public. It needs to have an adjoining road that is 18 metres in width.