Demand by RTI Activist Anil Galgali
Raising serious objections to the proposal concerning the 33 KV Receiving Station at Cumballa Hill and the associated public amenities, RTI Activist Anil Galgali strongly opposed the move during the public hearing held at the DP (Development Plan) Headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Senior officials from BEST were also present at the hearing.
Violation of Prohibited Zone Act, 1923
Anil Galgali stated that the subject land falls under the Prohibited Zone Act, 1923. Any change in land use or deletion of reservations for public amenities in such a restricted and protected area is legally untenable and poses serious security risks. Critical Importance for Emergency Services
He emphasized that the site is not limited to power infrastructure alone but is vital for emergency services. During floods, fires, terrorist threats, or natural disasters, uninterrupted and immediate operational access to this installation is crucial. Implementation of the proposal could severely hamper power supply restoration (restoration response time) in case of outages.
Anil Galgali claim that The Receiving Station caters to several High Value Consumers, including Lok Bhavan, Chief Minister’s Residence, Chief Justice’s Residence, Major hospitals, Key government offices, Commercial establishments and security agencies. Any disruption in power supply from this station would have a direct and adverse impact on public safety and Mumbai’s economic stability.
Galgali further pointed out that the Electricity Department is in profit to the tune of ₹4,380 crore, making it unjustifiable to lease such a critical public asset for merely ₹263 crore. He also highlighted that the Municipal Corporation has already made a substantial budgetary provision of around ₹1,000 crore, removing any financial compulsion for such a move.
RTI Activist Anil Galgali demanded that The proposal be cancelled immediately. All existing quarters be vacated, and staff be shifted to alternative, safe, and suitable quarters. Any change of use in a prohibited zone must not be undertaken without a public interest evaluation and an independent expert report.
Decisions involving public land, prohibited zones, and emergency infrastructure must not be taken in haste or driven by private interests, Galgali asserted. “Public safety is far more important than any revenue consideration,” he stated.
