Mumbai: The BMC has postponed the auction of three key plots—located in Malabar Hill, Chhatrapati Shivaji Market near Crawford Market, and the asphalt plant and BMC testing lab at Worli—by 12 days.

This decision followed queries raised by prospective bidders during a pre-bid meeting last month. Notable companies such as L&T (Larsen & Toubro), Welspun World, and Runwal Developers, among others, have expressed interest in acquiring these lands.

For the first time, the BMC is planning to auction its properties on a 30-year lease, with an option for a 30-year renewal. The sale of these plots is expected to generate revenue for various infrastructural projects undertaken by the civic body.

A tender for these plots was issued on November 4, and several prominent companies, including L&T, D.B. Realty, Godrej Properties, and Runwal Developers, attended the pre-bid meeting on November 12.

During the meeting, L&T and HN Safal raised concerns about the plot's status, questioning whether it was located in a Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ-2) and whether it was designated as a public garden plot.

In light of these queries, the BMC has extended the deadline for tender submissions from December 4 to December 16. Environmental activist Zoru Bhathena voiced his concerns, highlighting that while the objections from Malabar Hill residents were not officially recorded, the issues they raised were echoed by prospective bidders.

He also noted that, "The BMC had acknowledged the plot had been handed over to BEST in 1989 for electric transmission and was part of an existing Recreational Ground (RG) and Green Slope, which further raised questions about its zoning and intended use."

The BMC's proposal to auction the plot, originally reserved for a public garden in Malabar Hill, has been met with criticism from both citizens and environmental activists. In response to the growing opposition, local MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha intervened, urging Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to halt the auction process for the plot.

Despite this intervention and ongoing concerns, the BMC has continued with the tender process, moving forward with its plans to auction the plot.