Walking into the Woods, Soon a Reality with Mumbai's First Forest Walkway!

The narrow lane leading to the Nath Gagangiri Malabar Hill Ashram is quaint and secluded, especially during the day. A few long-established shops see passersby at this hour, mostly consisting of devotees en route to the Nath Gagangiri temple. However, the scene may change soon, as just a few steps ahead of the temple, construction is nearing completion for Mumbai’s first forest walkway in Malabar Hill.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is undergoing extensive construction across various infrastructure projects. South Mumbai, which has recently seen coastal development projects that have altered the original beauty of Marine Drive, is now poised to embrace nature with its new walkway. Contrary to the perception of South Mumbai as an upmarket area known for skyscrapers, heritage properties, and beaches, this elevated walkway—spanning 705 meters—is all about walking amidst nature.

This walkway, set to open in January, is located on Siri Road, opposite Kamla Nehru Park. During our recent visit, we caught glimpses of what it might look like in the future while workers on-site informed us that completion would still take a few more days. The steps leading down towards the temple, with a left turn from there, took us to the entry point, which was currently closed off as construction continued, with a few workers still on-site.

Arabian Sea on the right and hillocks on the left

The walkway deck has been crafted from wood, with the structure designed using "minimal concrete" to preserve the natural flow of water through the hill slopes and avoid disrupting wildlife movement.

Inspired by Singapore’s elevated forest walkways, which have drawn significant tourist attention, this walkway offers a unique experience. From here, we had glimpses of Girgaum Chowpatty on our right—one of South Mumbai’s most famous attractions—while giant rocks and hillocks stood majestically on the left. The walkway is shaded by a canopy of trees, creating a serene atmosphere. Notably, no trees were harmed during construction. The walkway will also feature a birdwatching zone and a glass-bottom viewing deck, adding to its allure.

The project was initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2020, with an estimated cost of Rs. 22 crore. Although the original completion deadline was set for one year, the walkway is expected to open soon, as more than half of the work is now complete. "Work starts in the morning and continues until evening. It’s almost finished, but no one is allowed inside yet," said a worker on-site while his colleague rested under the canopy of the walkway. According to reports, work on electrification, painting, restrooms, and ticket counters is still ongoing.

Following Siri Road towards the entrance of Kamla Nehru Park, we also reached the park's ‘Echo Point’, where words spoken can be heard echoing, even in the open space. From here, visitors can enjoy a stunning top view of the walkway, which winds through the forest like a trail. The sight of towering skyscrapers and the bustling energy of South Bombay adds a complementary contrast to the peaceful natural retreat below.

Currently, this serene corner of Malabar Hill, where locals and foreign visitors often seek tranquillity at the Ashram, is a quiet refuge. However, with the upcoming inauguration of the forest walkway, the area is likely to undergo rapid changes. Whether the current charm of this wooden walkway can be maintained amidst an influx of tourists remains to be seen.