According to the notice issued by the Assistant Commissioner of BMC's A Ward, the hotel has been directed to pay ₹49.7 million for the use of the public road and ₹221.5 million for the use of the adjoining footpath. The total outstanding amount stands at ₹271.2 million, including interest and applicable charges calculated up to March 2026.
The dispute relates to the occupation of 869.59 square metres of public road and 1,136.3 square metres of footpath surrounding the iconic hotel. Following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the area was secured with planters and barricades as part of enhanced security arrangements and for parking management.
Initially, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel had requested a 50 percent concession on road usage charges and a complete waiver of footpath usage fees. The BMC Standing Committee approved the proposal in January 2021. However, the matter remained pending before the General Body and was never finalized.
After recovering outstanding dues from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the A Ward administration initiated a review of all such concessions. In February 2025, the Municipal Commissioner cancelled the concession previously granted to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Following this decision, fresh demand notices were issued to both the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the nearby Trident Hotel.
According to BMC officials, the Trident Hotel has already cleared its outstanding dues and removed the security planters installed on the footpath. However, despite repeated reminders from the civic authorities, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has not paid the revised charges.
A senior municipal official stated that the BMC has decided to enforce a uniform policy for all commercial establishments using public roads and footpaths in the name of security. The move reflects the civic body's effort to ensure equal enforcement of municipal regulations and prevent preferential treatment in the use of public spaces.
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