Mumbai: Opposition Warns Against De-Reserving Byculla’s Alexandra Theatre For Residential Use

Mumbai, August 29, 2026: The BMC’s Improvement Committee has yet to decide on de-reserving the 1,005.03-sq-m Alexandra Theatre in Byculla for residential purposes. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) warn against the proposal, citing the DP-2034’s 119 cinema-theatre reservations totaling 3,09,284.08 sq metres. They fear this could set a dangerous precedent, enabling similar claims for other closed theatres.

The proposal was put on hold after Opposition objections and may return at the next committee meeting. Congress corporator Meher Haider has questioned the move, arguing that a theatre could be reconstructed and restarted instead of cancelling the reservation. She demands public disclosure of all 119 cinema-theatre reservations under DP-2034, including additional FSI, development potential, and financial gains.

Shiv Sena UBT senior corporator Sachin Padwal also opposes the move, stating that the theatre has been shuttered since 2007 with no attempts to revive it. They warn that changing the reservation would deprive local residents of a recreational and entertainment space and set a dangerous precedent by opening the door for similar claims.

However, a senior civic official says the theatre has been unused for nearly two decades and is based on a recommendation from the state Urban Development Department.