Mumbai: True to its word, the BMC has deleted several reservations of open spaces in the Development Plan (DP) notification published on Thursday.
The notification divides the DP into two parts; the sanctioned part will come into effect within 30 days of publication in a gazette, while the excluded plan (EP) will be open to suggestions and objections as it has substantial changes.
While the reservation of land for a Mumbai Metro car shed in Aarey Colony has been passed, the colony has been marked as ‘green zone,’ and the proposal has been kept open to suggestions and objections. This is because, as The Hindu reported on May 8, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park management has asked for an additional 24 acres inside the colony (in addition to the 66 acres previously allotted) to relocate tribal residing within its boundaries.
A proposal to reserve an area for a zoo has also been made part of the EP. A 323-acre plot in Goregaon, earlier marked as as a no-development zone (NDZ), has been opened up for the creation of a national law university and a Mumbai Metro car shed. This proposal has also been kept in the EP. Apart from these, any reservations on open spaces has been deleted and open spaces have been retained.
The erstwhile Mayor’s bungalow has been marked as a ‘memorial for Bal Thackeray’ following a State government decision. The proposal stands passed.
The State government’s Eastern Waterfront project finds no mention in the DP as the MbPT wants to be special planning authority here. The area has not been marked on the DP.
The DP for the next 20 years had made some bold provisions keeping in mind Mumbai’s ever-increasing needs for homes as well as its status as a financial hub.
The DP vested the right to change a Natural Area to an NDZ/SDZ to the municipal commissioner; a change can be made if ‘the natural area does not fulfill the criteria set for it’ and with permission from the state government. While some environmentalists expressed concern over this provision, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta clarified that this will be done only in cases where a plot has been incorrectly marked. “If a plot has been marked as NA while there are no mangroves or the likes on it, the owner may approach us and point out the mistake,” he said. “Only in cases of error shall the provision be used.”
