The Bombay High Court (HC) in an interim order on Thursday, October 24, stayed the implementation of guidelines to facilitate redevelopment of buildings at Marine Drive in south Mumbai up to 58 metres, wondering if the authorities want to change the area's skyline.

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar questioned how the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra government could issue such guidelines.

"What are you (authorities) doing? How can you take such a decision? Imagine the entire skyline of Marine Drive changed," the court said.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Federation of Churchgate Residents challenging the 2023 guidelines issued by the state government to Mumbai civic body, which needs to be followed while granting permission for redevelopment projects along the iconic promenade, reported news agency PTI.

Under these guidelines, buildings were grouped into three categories depending on which height restrictions were imposed.

As per the guidelines, if any building in the second row of Marine Drive road wants to exceed the 24-metre height restriction during redevelopment, then special permission could be obtained from the Mumbai civic commissioner, who could grant permission for a building up to a height of 58 metres, stated PTI.

The PIL challenged this guideline on the grounds that the Marine Drive area is a heritage precinct and hence, must be preserved accordingly.