Mumbai: A new provision in the Development Control Regulations (DCR) allows suspension of reservation and creation of temporary vending zones on weekends in Mumbai. The spaces will be used to encourage farmers’ markets, or initiatives such as equal street rights. But sceptics are concerned about such use in residential areas. The section on creation of temporary vending zones was introduced in the original DCR published in 2016, and has been retained in the revised DCR. The DCR is published along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Development Plan, the city’s blueprint for the next 20 years.
The DP and the DCR are expected to meet citizens’ needs on land use and reservation. Section 13 (8) in the DCR document’s part III, which deals with temporary vending zones, states that the municipal commissioner, through special permissions, may allow certain designated-amenity spots or premises such as public parking lots to be brought under the vending zone.
An official from the BMC’S DP department said, “The city needs places to hold farmers’ markets, initiatives for equal street rights or many others that do not have space. On weekends, many parking lots or commercial areas are free and can be put to good use.” However, what kind of activities will be permitted on such plots will depend on ward officials’ decision. Interested parties need to submit an application.
However, citizens are more concerned about misuse of the provision. Nikhil Desai, an activist from Dadar Parsi Colony, said, “This will be a good idea in commercial districts like Ballard Pier, which are vacant on weekends. But civic officials should be careful in allotting permissions. No such activity should be allowed in residential areas as we are already dealing with illegal hawking. Besides, what if temporary use eventually becomes permanent use?”
