Maharashtra
Stakeholders Raise Concerns Over BMC’s Iconic Structures Policy, Call For Heritage Safeguards And Clear Guidelines
Mumbai: Around 15 stakeholders—including architects, urban planners, civic groups, developers, and citizens—voiced concerns over BMC’s proposed policy on developing ‘iconic structures’ to enhance Mumbai’s skyline and boost tourism. At a public meeting held on Thursday at the BMC headquarters, participants criticised the vague definition of ‘iconic,’ questioned the selection committee’s scope, and raised concerns about the potential impact of such projects on the character of surrounding neighbourhoods.
The BMC has proposed adding Regulation 33(27) to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), 2034 to govern ‘iconic’ structures, with objections and suggestions to be sent to the state urban development department.
Public Consultations, Heritage Assessments Urged for Mumbai’s Iconic Structures
Anish Gawande, spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), said, “Our existing iconic buildings need care, and this policy should include them too. It must also ensure that the character of heritage precincts is not distorted.” He submitted a letter signed by over 2,000 architects, designers, and urban planners, highlighting concerns about the policy’s impact on existing heritage precincts. Gawande also called for a stricter scrutiny committee, similar to the heritage conservation panel, to ensure only up to five truly deserving projects are approved annually. He urged cost controls to keep the 40% public-access requirement affordable.
Shirish Sukhatme, an architect and representative of the Practicing Engineers Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA) called for a broader definition to include cultural and educational buildings. He recommended increasing minimum access width from 18 to 27 metres, selecting projects via a national design competition, removing the 1 million sq ft builder eligibility criterion, and demanding justification for the additional premium FSI granted to developers. His view was supported by Fort Heritage Conservation Association, Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI), and NGO NAGAR, who stressed that such structures should be defined by urban contribution, cultural context, sustainability, and public value—not just form or scale.
Public Consultation Needed for Mumbai’s Iconic Structures
Some participants at the meeting stressed the need for precise guidelines on built-to-unbuilt area ratios and green/open spaces, along with social and heritage impact assessments and mandatory public consultations. Sunil Rathod, chief engineer of the development plan department, clarified that iconic buildings will remain subject to heritage regulations and the existing 32-metre height restriction. Consequently, despite the additional FSI incentives offered by the policy, opportunities for development in these areas will be limited due to space and height constraints.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Additional manpower to be deployed for birth certificate applications: Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Verma Lovengere

Mumbai: Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Varmalawangire has directed the deployment of additional manpower to ensure prompt processing of birth certificate applications in areas falling under Zone 5 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) such as Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, Kurla and Chembur. He also directed that the working hours of Citizen Facilitation Centres be increased for the approval of these applications. Today (July 25, 2026), Lavangare reviewed the operations of the health department in the administrative wards of Zone 5 at the BMC’s M West Ward Office in Chembur. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Oghade, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 5) Scindia. Assistant Commissioner (M-East) Ujjwal Angole, Assistant Commissioner (M-West) Shankar Bhosale, and Executive Health Officer (Public Health Department) Dr. Daksha Shah. EML Varad East West wards need more effort to process applications related to birth certificates. Varmalawangire directed that applications should be accepted at the Citizen Facilitation Centres from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to provide relief to the citizens. He further directed that these centres should remain open on Sundays for the convenience of the public. Assistant Commissioners at the administrative ward level should depute additional manpower to process the applications of the citizens, thus enabling a large number of applications to be processed. Varmalawangire directed that the applications should be processed and resolved within the shortest possible time after they are submitted. Software is being developed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to handle applications for new birth certificates and corrections in existing ones. The software will facilitate submission of application details and uploading of relevant documents, while it will also include a dashboard. He directed that the software and dashboard be used to ensure maximum transparency in the birth certificate application process. He also directed that applications related to educational matters be given priority. A large number of applications are being submitted for QR code-based birth certificates required for overseas education and visa processing. He directed that these be resolved immediately.
During today’s meeting, Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Vermalongare reviewed the status of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, monsoon-related disease incidents, and capacity expansion and repair works in maternity homes and suburban hospitals. He issued necessary instructions to the health department. The performance of Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital (Saiyan), Govind Shatabdi Hospital, and Maa Hospital (Chembur) was also reviewed. Prajakta Verma-Lawangire directed the department heads to conduct regular reviews to ensure transparency in the functioning of the health administration and prompt resolution of civic issues. He also directed the Assistant Commissioners within the zones to conduct regular site visits.
Maharashtra
‘Victory celebration’ on students’ victory in Mumbai… Demand for action against policemen who tortured students still incomplete: Uddhav Thackeray

A victory celebration has been announced in Mumbai for the historic victory of the students. The protest will continue even after the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar is met, this stance has been issued by Kakroch Janata Party leader Abhijit Deepke. The victory celebration will now be celebrated with a tricolor march in Mumbai. This was announced by MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a press conference here. He said that now a stage will be prepared near Shivaji Park and the crowd will gather there. There will be no march till Siddhi Vinayak. Raj Thackeray said that this is a big success for the students, this march has been organized to celebrate it. Uddhav Thackeray said that the way Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was accepted, his department was not changed after his resignation, this has not been clarified yet, along with this, the students are not satisfied with the resignation itself, the demand for action against the police personnel and officers who tortured the students by registering a case has not been fulfilled. The way the students were brutalized is completely wrong, but the students were steadfast and not only that, they endured hardships during the protest and this is the reason why the government had to bow down before these students. Uddhav Thackeray said that the way the government thought that it would not bow down before anyone, but the students forced it, a victory celebration will be celebrated in Mumbai to express sympathy with the students and a traditional tricolor rally will be held. Uddhav Thackeray said that a future plan of action should be prepared after talking to Abhijeet Deepika.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Shivaji Park Tricolor March: Important meeting of senior officers with Police Commissioner, police security arrangements tightened, necessary instructions issued

Mumbai: Police are also ready for the Tricolour rally in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. To express sympathy with the student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Thackeray brother has organized a Tricolour march in which lakhs of protesters are expected to participate. In such a situation, the police have also claimed to have made strict security arrangements in the area. The police are being vigilant and are monitoring the situation to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the Tricolour march. Along with monitoring the route for the Tricolour march, a meeting of senior officers including the Additional Police Commissioner was also held today under the chairmanship of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, in which instructions were also issued to ensure security arrangements related to order and protest demonstration. There is a long series of protests at Shivaji Park in Mumbai city. It has also been identified where protesters can gather in Shivaji Park during the Tricolour March in Mumbai city and suburbs. In addition, protests have started across the state. In the case of NET exam paper leak, students have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dhirendra Pradhan and the students are standing by their stand. The police are also on alert due to the Tricolour March in Mumbai city and suburbs. Police deployment has also been ensured on the traffic route during the protest demonstration in Shivaji Park, along with necessary orders have also been issued. The police have taken necessary steps due to the protests of students in Mumbai and the state, along with necessary instructions have also been issued to senior police officers in this regard. It is estimated that students from other areas of Mumbai such as Kurla, Chambor, Byculla, Andheri, Malad Maloni, Jogeshwari and other areas are also participating in the protest. Attempts to disrupt or disrupt the Tricolour March are tolerable. If anyone does so, they will be given a response, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has warned, saying that if there is an attempt to disrupt the situation in Mumbai on the lines of Delhi, it will not be tolerated at all. Protests are ongoing in Mumbai, and the police are also on alert.
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