Mumbai: To enhance visitor convenience and tackle issues with its current booking system, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to roll out a dedicated WhatsApp-based booking service for the popular elevated nature trail at Malabar Hill.
Since its inauguration in March 2025, the Singapore-style treetop walkway has attracted thousands of nature enthusiasts. However, a recent dip in footfall—from 55,000 in May to 45,000 in June—has been linked to the monsoon season and shortcomings in the existing online booking process.
Currently, bookings are made only via BMC’s website in one-hour slots, capped at 200 visitors per hour. Weekend slots often get filled days in advance, leaving last-minute visitors disappointed—even when there’s available space.
To fix these issues, the BMC is bringing backend development in-house and plans to introduce flexible slot durations (15, 30, or even 5 minutes during peak hours) and instant bookings via WhatsApp. A chatbot will also assist with real-time queries and reservations.
The upgraded system is expected to go live before the upcoming post-monsoon tourist season, aiming to make the eco-tourism hotspot more accessible and user-friendly for both citizens and tourists.
