Newly opened Malabar Hill walkway draws 1 lakh-plus visitors and Rs 26.5L revenue in over a month

Open since a little over a month, Mumbai’s first elevated nature trail at Malabar Hill has already welcomed a whopping 1.04 lakh visitors and raked in Rs 26.5 lakh in revenue for the BMC.Modelled on Singapore’s renowned TreeTop Walk, the Malabar Hill walkway, which offers picturesque views along a serene green path in the heart of the busy metropolis, is an instant hit across age groups, with reels and selfies flooding social media platforms.But the popularity comes at a price — and in this case, resulting in overcrowding and ticket reservation woes. Visitors now take at least 15 days of advance booking on the website -- https://ui.tgsession.com/1rk5350p56p05_1ouoblfkqlkbydnriniutyo/ -- to secure a preferred time slot, especially for weekends. Many have also had to return disappointed after being turned away due to the 200-person-per-slot limit. Also, there is no on-the-spot ticket booking.On May 7, when the reporter tried to book online a time slot for a May 10 visit, only 5am, 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm slots were available; the remaining slots were full.The elevated nature trail is open all days of the week from 5am to 8pm, with hourly slots. The entry fee is Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners. But the hour-long visit is strictly timed, with a public announcement marking the end of each session and guiding people to exit the walkway.An Andheri resident, who wanted to take her five-year-old son to the Malabar Hill walkway on April 26, was surprised that not a single slot was available. “It was a Saturday and I thought it would be a great outing for my son. However, as soon as I logged on to the website, I found that no slot was available. Disappointed, we dropped the plan,” she said.Tardeo resident Nilesh Baxi too got a ‘fully booked’ response on the website. “My friends and I were keen on visiting the Malabar Hill walkway, but no slots were available. Maybe it being vacation time for schools, the trail has been seeing more footfalls,” he reasoned.According to Malabar Hill resident Pervin Sanghvi, the novelty of the walkway is also attracting larger crowds. “We visited the elevated walkway a few weeks ago, and despite being locals, we hadn’t explored this nature trail,” Sanghvi said. “The facility is also well maintained, and the personnel guide the walkers towards the exit once the time slot ends. We chose the 8am slot and there were crowds in the morning hours as well.”A BMC official said group bookings of up to six people are allowed. “We’ve observed regular group visits. We also make it clear that no food items are permitted inside the walkway to ensure it remains litter-free. Tickets can be booked up to 15 days in advance. The most popular time slots are between 6am and 10am and 4pm and 9pm. On weekends and public holidays, all slots are fully booked,” the official added.Built at a cost of Rs 25 crore, the Malabar Hill walkway spans a total length of 485m with a width of 2.4m and includes a sea-viewing deck offering a dedicated spot for panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.The trail features a wooden elevated walkway designed with wooden railings and support columns, reinforced with steel for added strength. Aesthetic lighting enhances the overall experience, while an access control system helps regulate visitor flow. Additionally, the trail is equipped with surveillance systems and emergency exits, ensuring safety and security for visitors. From sunrise seekers to selfie enthusiasts, this scenic stretch has quickly become Mumbai’s new hangout — but only if you can grab a slot in time.Rahul Kadri, the walkway’s architect, said that the entire nature trail was designed to minimize disturbance to the forest and forest floor. “It was also designed to offer visitors a serene and peaceful experience. We kept the design minimal, including the lighting too — carefully positioned to illuminate only the floor without spilling outward, avoiding any light pollution. The response we’ve seen from the public reflects a deep yearning to reconnect with nature. The trail offers a rich variety of experiences, from rocky terrain and dense forest canopy to views of Chowpatty.”* Malabar Hill walkway has recorded a total 1,04,389 visitors, generating a revenue of nearly Rs 26.5 lakh between March 30 and May 6, according to BMC data* To book, log on to https://ui.tgsession.com/1rk5350p56p05_1ouoblfkqlkbydnriniutyo/* The elevated nature trail is open all seven days of the week from 5am to 8pm, with hourly slots* Entry fee is Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners* The 485m-long, 2.4m-wide path is surrounded by greenery, with more than 100 species of plants, such as Gulmohar, Almond, Jamun, Kanchan, Palm, Jackfruit, Ratan Guj, Sita Ashok, Arjun, Muchkund, Saptaparni, Karmal, and Vilayati Shirish trees* Bird enthusiasts can spot species like Cuckoo, Drongo, Kite, Indian Grey Hornbill, Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Parakeet, Oriole, Bulbul, Myna, Magpie Robin, and Sunbird.* The forest also supports reptilian wildlife like Garden Lizards, Monitor Lizards, Indian Rock Pythons, Cobras, and Vine Snakes* A major highlight of the walkway is the sea viewing deck, offering stunning vistas of Mumbai’s coastline and Girgaum Chowpatty. The experience of strolling above the treetops while gazing out at the Arabian Sea is a standout attraction