MMRDA Moves to Add Public Recreation in BKC

Mumbai’s most valuable business district may soon see a shift from being a purely corporate address to a more liveable urban precinct. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has initiated plans to introduce public sports facilities, landscaped open areas and limited food outlets within Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), signalling a broader rethink of how central business districts function beyond office hours.

According to planning documents reviewed by Urban Acres, the regional authority intends to lease approximately 2.47 lakh square feet of land for recreational use, with a private operator responsible for developing and maintaining the facilities. Once operational, the space is expected to be accessible to office workers as well as the wider public—an important departure from the area’s current model, where recreational infrastructure remains scarce and largely exclusive. Despite hosting some of India’s most valuable office real estate, BKC has long struggled with the absence of accessible leisure amenities. Urban planners point out that the district’s development prioritised commercial density over social infrastructure, resulting in a workplace ecosystem that empties out after business hours. At present, organised sports activity in the area is limited, with existing facilities offering restricted access.

Officials familiar with the project said the authority has invited bids to appoint a concessionaire who will design, operate and monetise the recreational zone. The scope includes developing multiple sports amenities alongside a single full-service restaurant and two smaller food kiosks. Revenue generation will be permitted through facility rentals, coaching programmes and food services, while the land ownership will remain with the public authority. A significant portion of the proposal focuses on reviving underutilised public space within one of BKC’s office clusters. Large pedestrian zones created in earlier phases of development gradually fell into disuse after commercial activity was scaled down. The new plan seeks to reactivate these areas as shaded social spaces integrated with walking routes, seating zones and low-impact commercial use.

The sports component is expected to include multi-use turfs, indoor and outdoor courts, fitness tracks and community seating areas, supported by lighting and basic public infrastructure. Urban development experts say such facilities are critical for dense business districts, where long working hours and limited open space contribute to physical inactivity and reduced wellbeing. Beyond recreation, the move also reflects a wider policy shift towards making high-density employment hubs more inclusive and climate-resilient. Introducing green cover, permeable surfaces and pedestrian-first zones can help reduce urban heat stress while encouraging shorter, non-motorised trips within the district.

For BKC, the proposal represents an attempt to rebalance economic productivity with quality-of-life considerations. The success of the project, planners caution, will depend on pricing, public access safeguards and long-term maintenance standards. If executed carefully, the initiative could offer a replicable model for retrofitting India’s commercial districts into people-first urban environments.

MMRDA Moves to Add Public Recreation in BKC