Mumbai’s Elevated Forest Walkway: Malabar Hill’s New Eco-Friendly Marvel

Malabar Hill, Mumbai: Mumbai is on the cusp of unveiling its first elevated forest walkway, a stunning 482-metre trail through Malabar Hill’s verdant slopes. The walkway promises breathtaking city views and a closer connection to nature without disturbing its delicate ecosystem. Over 90% of the project is complete, and it's set to be opened by the New Year.

The journey to this nature trail wasn't easy. Laborers worked tirelessly, sometimes under intense physical challenges due to the 70-80 degree slope, using manual labor to access the difficult terrain. Special equipment was developed for this unique setting, and the process ensured that no trees were harmed.

Throughout construction, preserving the area’s rich flora and fauna was paramount. The BMC meticulously realigned the walkway multiple times to safeguard trees, even reducing its length to just 482 metres. Minimal concrete was used, with structural steel pillars supporting the trail to avoid further environmental disruption.

A surprising challenge came from beneath the surface — British-era water pipelines running under the trail. The BMC had to carefully adjust pillar placements to avoid these historical pipelines, even widening gaps between pillars when they were detected.

The construction, proposed in 2020 and started in 2022, was budgeted at Rs 22 crore. Despite facing delays due to limited working hours (to protect wildlife), the project is almost done, with only minor tasks remaining, including final utility installations and safety features.

Once completed, Mumbai’s first elevated nature trail will be a remarkable blend of urban beauty and sustainable architecture, offering locals and visitors a fresh way to experience the city’s natural heritage.