City DP: open spaces to be protected, says Fadnavis

Special focus will be on development rules for gaothans, koliwadas and tribal pockets

Remake plans: Traditional residential areas, like the Rajan Gouthan in Bandra, will be redeveloped based on specific rules.

Mumbai: Protection of open spaces, precise demarcation and a special Development Control Regulation (DCR) for koliwadas, gaothans and tribal hamlets will be key principles guiding the Mumbai’s Development Plan (DP), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.

Replying during a discussion on issues surrounding the city’s development, Mr. Fadnavis said, “We received the Mumbai DP on August 2, 2017. The Director, Town Planning completed his scrutiny on February 2, 2018. As per the provisions, the State government is allowed a statutory period of two-and-a-half years to grant approval, but we are determined to approve it by March 2018.”

Claiming the DP will not compromise the city’s open spaces, Mr. Fadnavis said BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta has been authorised to make necessary changes in case faults are found in the demarcation of koliwadas, gaothans and tribal hamlets. “A special DCR will be made after the DP for koliwadas, gaothans and tribal hamlets.” He added that special dispensations will also be made for the redevelopment of the Central Ordinance Depot (COD) and funnel zone-affected buildings. A funnel zone is the area at both ends of a runway where certain height restrictions have to be maintained for construction.

In a bid to appease owners of flats up to 700 sq.ft. in size, Mr. Fadnavis said the government will consider a BMC proposal to redevelop them positively. “If BMC sends a proposal after all statutory compliances are met, we will consider it.” he said in response to the demand raised by .BJP MLA Ashish Shelar and Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu.

Announcing that five lakh houses are under construction or have been approved, the CM said of the 20 lakh residential units required in the State’s urban areas, nearly 50% will be needed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). He also announced initiatives for redevelopment of buildings and chawls. “51 proposals have been approved of the 67 on the Bombay Improvement Trust (BIT) chawl redevelopment.”

The government has also made it mandatory for builders involved in redevelopment of cessed buildings to maintain a certain corpus. “For redevelopment of slums near Arthur Road jail, a committee has been formed to prepare the policy that will disallow buildings from being redeveloped within 20 metres from the jail’s wall.” Mr. Fadnavis said.