A 2.5-km stretch of Gorai Beach in Borivali West has been illuminated after nearly three years of darkness. The project was carried out by Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) in coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The beach had remained without streetlights for years, raising safety concerns for locals and visitors, especially after sunset. The lack of lighting had limited public access in the evenings despite the beach being a popular spot.

Gorai Beach, a popular picnic destination in north Mumbai, has finally been illuminated after a long-standing demand from local residents.

The lack of lighting had been a significant issue, featuring prominently in recent municipal and assembly elections. For many residents, the beach serves as a vital access route—the village is enclosed by a hill, making the beach the only route to several homes. Residents reported safety concerns: uneven sand surfaces, hollows, poor visibility especially during monsoon with high tides, and danger walking or riding motorcycles at night. The beach lacked adequate lighting after dusk despite being a key tourist attraction.

Permanent lighting installation had been delayed due to Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions, with only non-functional temporary arrangements existing previously.

Installation details:

• 94 lights installed along the beach
• Challenges included rocky portions making pole installation difficult and protecting poles from corrosion in salty atmosphere
• Supported by MLA Sanjay Upadhyay, Adani Electricity, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Remaining gaps: The eight-kilometre-long beach currently has only four lifeguards, with no cabins or basic facilities. Plans underway to increase personnel and improve infrastructure for enhanced public safety.

Gorai beach is being eroded due to construction of a new jetty at least 400 metres away from its original site, near the old jetty. The new jetty is not being erected on stilts as earlier assured. Sea water currents bringing in coastal sand are being partially blocked, leading to sand erosion. Locals and environmental activists have demanded immediate demolition of the upcoming jetty to save the beach.

The Maharashtra government approved shifting the high-frequency (HF) receiving station from Dahisar to Gorai. The facility is vital for flight communication. Approximately 20 acres of land at Gorai will be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) free of cost. In a letter dated August 8, 2025, Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta noted that the BMC will bear the cost of shifting the station and developing infrastructure at Gorai. Once the receiving station shifts from Dahisar to Gorai, the Dahisar land will remain with AAI, which must develop it into a garden or park open to the public. Height restrictions under AAI rules will apply in Gorai once the receiving station shifts. Limits may be imposed on new constructions, and existing no-objection certificates (NOCs) already granted to ongoing projects in and around Gorai would require reconciliation for safe air operations. The Union government agreed to shift the radars in August 2017 after Maharashtra sought the Dahisar land for a Metro car depot; that plan was scrapped but the Union government now intends to shift the station due to stalled construction and redevelopment. Redevelopment in Dahisar has been stalled due to height restrictions imposed by AAI. According to a 2024 letter by BJP MLA Manisha Chaudhary, projects worth ₹7,000–10,000 crore are stuck, affecting more than 10,000 households. A Dahisar developer expressed concern that height restrictions in Gorai could provoke local opposition, prolonging the issue.

Streetlights along Gorai Beach have been broken for four months, with the last functioning lights failing two months ago. The beach is inaccessible after 8 pm due to safety concerns. Residents say the darkness has made the area unsafe for families and enabled anti-social activities including drinking and smoking groups. Rossi D'Sousa, member of Gorai Gaothan Panchayat and local activist, and other residents have filed repeated complaints with BMC's R Central Ward but say they have received no response or action. Alfred Ferreira, a beachfront property owner, expressed concern about anti-social elements deterring residents from visiting their own beach.