The tender for 35 LED hoardings proposed along Carter Road promenade under a Public-Private Partnership model has been put on hold. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority had not granted required permission for commercial hoardings in the Coastal Regulation Zone area. Decision taken at high-level meeting with BMC, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and Maharashtra Maritime Board officials. Different agencies currently manage various stretches of Mumbai's waterfront: Worli Promenade, Marine Drive, Reclamation Promenade, Carter Road and Bandstand. Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar directed BMC to prepare uniform and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures for all promenades, laying down common rules and standards incorporating citizen suggestions and objections. Residents raised concerns over commercialisation of promenades and impact on environmental norms. Carter Road hoarding tender will remain on hold until necessary permissions and common policy framework are in place.

Following resident pushback over commercial LED hoardings along city waterfronts, Bandra West MLA and district guardian minister Ashish Shelar stayed the contract to set up hoardings on Carter Road, Bandra West. Authorities were considering the tender process under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Shelar convened a meeting with officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), directing the BMC to frame composite and holistic standard operating procedures for Mumbai's promenades, including Marine Drive, Worli Sea Face, Bandra Reclamation, Carter Road and Bandstand, incorporating citizens' suggestions and objections.

The move aims to clarify respective roles of BMC and MMB in regulating promenades and prevent individual stretches from being governed by different or overlapping norms.

Residents raised concerns about commercial exploitation of the Carter Road promenade, alleging violations of environmental norms. Shelar stated commercial activities and beautification must not come at the cost of the environment or cause inconvenience to citizens.

The new policy will lay down clear rules on permissions and prohibitions. Bandra West has three major promenades: Bandra Reclamation, Bandstand and Carter Road, which extends to Khar.

Assistant municipal commissioner of H West ward Dinesh Pallewad confirmed the minister directed them to stay the proposal until a new policy is formulated. Ports minister Nitesh Rane said they are re-thinking bearing in mind people's sentiments.

Mumbai-based luxury developer Supreme Universal secured development rights for approximately one-acre land parcel off Carter Road in Bandra West with estimated revenue potential of Rs 1,500 crore. Company has previously developed projects in Carter Road and Pali Hill. Project assumes significance given scarcity of sizeable developable land along Bandra West coastline. Location expected to offer residents expansive Arabian Sea views. Development conceptualised as one of taller residential towers in neighbourhood, centred on privacy, open spaces and sea views. Every residence planned to have private sea-facing terrace. Project will feature large ocean-facing terrace garden. Proposed amenity mix includes pickleball court, private dining rooms, banquet hall, resort-style spa, conference and co-working facilities, wellness and fitness centre, private cinema theatre and expansive ocean-facing terrace garden. Location offers access to established social infrastructure, green spaces, sea views and connectivity through Mumbai's coastal road network.

At least 70 residents, mostly from Bandra West, wrote to the BMC objecting to what they described as the "illegal commercialisation" of the Carter Road Promenade.

The Carter Road promenade in Bandra is used daily by thousands for walking, exercise, watching sunset, and socialising. Civic group IM_PACT (Citizens Movement for Environment and Civic Action) filed a complaint to authorities Thursday about encroachments including food stalls and illegal conversion of a gazebo at the northern end of the promenade, which has been covered with tin sheets. Residents allege the gazebo is being converted into a religious structure and that CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) norms are being violated. This follows earlier concerns about the BMC concreting an open space adjoining Bandra Fort.