Currently, tourists can visit the spot by booking an hour-long slot through the BMC website. The number of visitors allowed during any one-hour slot is capped at 200. Most slots, especially for weekends, must be booked at least a week in advance
People stop to click photographs on the elevated nature trail at Malabar Hill on April 2. FILE PIC/SHADAB KHAN
While Mumbai's elevated nature trail at Malabar Hill has become a popular tourist attraction since its inauguration in March this year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to streamline its online booking system to keep up with the spot’s growing popularity. The walkway is modelled on Singapore's famous Tree-top Walk, offering scenic green views in the heart of a bustling and densely populated urban area.
Currently, tourists can visit the spot by booking an hour-long slot through the BMC website. The number of visitors allowed during any one-hour slot is capped at 200. Most slots, especially for weekends, must be booked at least a week in advance. However, the BMC has observed a decline in visitor numbers, from approximately 55,000 in May to 45,000 in June.
“While the drop in tourist numbers can be attributed to the monsoon season, we have identified several issues in the online booking system. The current system was developed by a third party, so the BMC has limited control over the fine-tuning needed to make the platform more user-friendly. This work will now be done in-house," a civic official told mid-day.
A new WhatsApp number will soon be introduced to facilitate on-the-spot bookings. Additionally, the one-hour time slots will be revised, allowing citizens to book shorter 15-minute or 30-minute visits. An official also mentioned that a chatbot is likely to be developed as part of this project.
“Someone who arrives at the spot during peak hours, say, at 6 pm, without a prior booking, is often unable to access the walkway, even if slots are available online. The one-hour slot remains underutilised.
We've realised an upgrade is necessary to allow bookings in shorter durations of 15 or 30 minutes. On-the-spot bookings could even be allowed in 5-minute windows. The BMC is working on backend changes to make this possible for citizens,” the official added.
Declining football
Visitors in April: 1 lakh
Visitors in May: 55,000
Visitors in June: 45,000
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