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BMC’s ₹7.5 crore plan to redevelop the heritage Gildertank school at Grant Road for film shoots has been stalled due to repeated complaints by a local resident. The site, used for limited shoots earning ₹5 lakh annually, faces delays amid disputes over noise and pending handover of its ground currently with metro authorities.

Mumbai: The BMC's plan to renovate the heritage premises of the Grand Road's Gildertank school and building before designating it for film and OTT shootings, has been halted due complaints by local residents', civic officials say. Last year, the BMC had identified several civic-owned properties which to be designated as film shoot locations, which was a part of a larger effort to streamline the filming permission process and position Mumbai as a competitive destination for content creators.

Renovation details

"A plan of Rs 7.5 crore to revamp the heritage building, make a green house near the ground, a stage etc was prepared last year. However, the residents of a nearby building keep complaining to the police everytime shooting takes place. This has hampered our plan. We expect the proposal is taken up to the commissioner and education committee chairman soon," said an official from BMC's education department.

The Gildertank school has been shut down more than 25 years ago, however, the building is used for several civic education department office. "As per a 2015 notification, the school is given for shootings. We earn around Rs 5 lakh per year," an official said.