Who Owns Most Property in Mumbai? Find Out

Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.’ – Mark Twain

This quote is enough to comprehend the power property holds. In ancient times, the ones with the biggest territories were considered to be the most powerful kings. In that sense, many people may wonder- who is Mumbai’s king in the modern world? Today, we are going to unravel the biggest and most influential land baron in the city of dreams.

So, let us know who owns most property in Mumbai:

Largest Private Landowner in Mumbai

Out of the 99,319 acres comprising Mumbai, approximately 7,000 acres are under the ownership of the city's top 10 private families and trusts. In total, the 21 largest private entities in Mumbai possess around 10% of the city's land.

Godrej Industries Pvt. Ltd.

The straightforward answer to the question of who owns most property in Mumbai would be Godrej Industries. This group stands as the largest private landowner in Mumbai today, boasting holdings of nearly 2,000 acres of mangroves located at Vikhroli, east of the Eastern Express Highway. The company diversified into real estate under the name Godrej Properties Ltd. in 1990 and has executed numerous projects in over 12 cities across India. In Mumbai, they have successfully undertaken projects such as Godrej Platinum in Vikhroli East, adjacent to their mangrove holdings.

FE Dinshaw Estate

Next on the list is the FE Dinshaw estate. Framroze Edulji Dinshaw, the son of a prominent Karachi landowner and businessman, inherited his father’s assets in Mumbai and expanded them for the benefit of future generations. By 2002, the FE Dinshaw estate had become the largest privately owned land in Mumbai, spanning 2,200 acres in the western suburbs between Malad and Borivali. The FE Dinshaw Charities trust, established after Dinshaw’s passing in 1936, oversees an additional 278 acres, primarily in Malad. Unfortunately, a significant portion of their land has fallen victim to encroachment and land mafias.

Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Properties Limited

Another noteworthy example is Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Properties Limited, the 5th largest landholder in Mumbai. Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, a philanthropist of the 19th century, received a gift of 12,000 acres of land between Bandra and Borivali from the East India Company in 1830. Over the past four decades, substantial portions of this land have been sold to developers or surrendered to the government for infrastructure development.

Others

There are also some other entities in this category, including the A.H. Wadia Trust and prominent builders such as the Ajmeras, the Rahejas, and the Hiranandani.

Public Sector Land in Mumbai

Regarding public sector lands in Mumbai, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust stands as the largest landowner with an expansive 2,000-acre holding. This area encompasses all land and water regions between Colaba and Navi Mumbai, constituting nearly one-eighth of Mumbai's total expanse. Recognising the critical scarcity of land, the port trust has implemented efficient land use plans, encouraging substantial development in the city's infrastructure. Notably, half of its land was allocated to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the creation of the Wadala Truck Terminus, aimed at easing congestion in South Bombay, as well as the Mahul Link Road.

Additionally, the trust has granted approval for the development of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) with concessional rents on another 25% of its area. It has also expressed willingness to consider the elevation of the Eastern Island Highway through its estate. However, there is ongoing opposition from political parties and environmentalists concerning JNPT's proposal to reclaim land between Colaba and Navi Mumbai, a move intended to enhance infrastructure projects.

Even following the decline of Mumbai's mill culture, the National Textile Corporation (NTC) still possesses 1,377 acres of land in Central Mumbai, having sold most of its property to private builders. Central and state institutions such as the Life Insurance Corporation of India, Income Tax offices, and banks own the majority of slum areas in Dharavi. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has a 5,000-square-meter property in the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Conclusion

Mumbai's diverse landscape of privately owned and public sector lands reflects a lot about the city and its most authoritative personalities. From private families to government entities, each landowner plays a significant role in shaping Mumbai's future. However, apart from knowing who owns most property in Mumbai, it is also important to navigate issues such as land scarcity, development, and environmental concerns that are important for Mumbai's ongoing urban evolution and will be beneficial in ensuring sustainable development of the land in the city.