The revised Development Control Rules (DCR) for Mumbai take a number of steps to protect the city’s endangered open spaces.
One of its provisions bars construction on playgrounds areas. Confirming this, officer on special duty with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ramakant Jha, who fleshed out the revised DCR, told The Hindu , “We have eliminated the existing aberration that permitted 15 per cent construction upon recreation grounds. No construction is allowed in gardens and playgrounds.” Mr. Jha added that the regulations stipulate that all pathways have to be permeable.
Mr. Jha also said that there had to be spaces for art and culture, and this has been included in the DCR. “Our kids need space to display their talents. The Jehangir Art Gallery is not adequate to service the creative interests of our youth.” He also pointed out to the huge tracts of land with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Mumbai Port Trust (2,700 hectares), in addition to 240 hectares of salt pan lands. Those parts which are not in protected Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas hold great potential as tourism development areas, he said.
Responding to allegations that open spaces in non-development zones (NDZs) would be compromised, Mr. Jha said, “The definition of NDZ is: potential developable land kept in abeyance for future development. The blueprint for the next 20 years has opened up only part of these lands for the purpose.”
Vivek R More, Deputy Engineer (Development Plan), emphasised that the DCR protected open spaces: “Currently, we enjoy a two-square-metre-per-person density in Mumbai city. This will increase to four square metres per person for both the city and suburban regions. We have considered the population growth expected to reach 12.79 million by 2034 when arriving at this calculation.”
Another measure is designed to incentivise property owners to give open spaces to the city while also gaining themselves. Mr. More said that earlier, owners were reluctant to relinquish open plots to the city, despite the offer of transfer of developmental rights. “The revised DCR allows private owners to retain 30 per cent of their land for development, while the relinquished land would remain an open ground for public purpose, especially when the land is encroached upon. The private owner would contribute the open space to society and get full floor space index for the same and continue to reside in the existing 30 per cent of the property. Literally, he would develop his 30 per cent plot and always have the open space.”
The DCR plan also envisages the creation of large tracts of reclaimed land along the coastal belt of Mumbai city, especially in the wake of massive digging and excavation works scheduled for the laying of the sixth and seventh metro train lines as well as coastal roads. Confirming this, a senior BMC official said, “There will be some reclamation along the Cuffe Parade coast belt, but the land reclaimed would be strictly maintained as open spaces.”
The writer is a freelance journalist
