India, Oct. 23 -- The BMC Improvements Committee on Thursday passed a proposal to delete the cinema reservation on the 1,005-sq-m plot of the defunct Alexandra Cinema in Byculla-Nagpada, paving the way for residential development. The decision was taken amid strong opposition from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, who had warned that the move could set a precedent for other closed cinemas across Mumbai.

The proposal, based on a recommendation from the state urban development department (UDD), was first placed before the committee on August 12. It was passed after two months under Section 64(3A) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888,which provides for deemed approval of civic proposals if the relevant committee fails to de...