Height hurdle for proposed Bollywood Hill project in Kharghar

The project, inspired by Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, USA, is facing height restrictions as the location is near the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) project area..

The City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) proposed “Bollywood Hill” project in Kharghar has hit a hurdle. The project, inspired by Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, USA, is facing height restrictions as the location is near the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) project area.

Officials from CIDCO said it had proposed to develop a theme park and set up commercial and residential facilities on the 100 hectare plot in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, in 2008. Of the total land, about 60 per cent was reserved for the Bollywood theme park while the remaining area was supposed to be used for residential and commercial purposes.
The land is on the Kharghar hill plateau, which is also known as Pandav Kada hills, in the Sahyadri mountain range.

An official said the plan was conceptualised on the lines of the Hollywood Hills. The Kharghar project was supposed to have indoor and outdoor cinema facilities. It was also supposed to have facilities for movie production with advanced technology, a film institute, five-star hotels, sports facilities and eco parks with other entertainment facilities.

“The land is in the vicinity of the NMIA and the Airports Authority of the India (AAI) has imposed height restrictions for residential buildings in the area around the airport. The authority has restricted the construction of buildings above 150 metres. Since the location of the proposed project is on a hill, the base of the project site is approximately 200 metre above the sea level. So, it has created a hurdle,” said an official from the CIDCO.

He added that the CIDCO has given its representation to the AAI on the issue, requesting it to allow the “Bollywood Hill” project.  “We are not planning to construct a skyscraper at the location. We just want to build the Bollywood Hill theme park. So, we will try to convince the authorities about height of the land, the project and its height, along with other aspects of the project,” the CIDCO official added.

Another official said the CIDCO will have to look for other options to utilise the land if the AAI does not allow them to go ahead with the project.