DP 2034 gets priority, BMC allocates Rs2,665.37 crore for its implementation

Although the DP is expected to be passed by the state government in March 2018, the BMC has started work on creation of new amenities on municipal plots in the city from 2017

A garden admeasuring 5 lakh sqft, a 12-acre sports complex and new waste-segregation centres in the city – Mumbaites will get all this and a lot more as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prioritised the city’s development plan (DP) 2014-34 in the budget for second consecutive year.

Although the DP is expected to be passed by the state government in March 2018, the BMC has started work on creation of new amenities on municipal plots in the city from 2017. (FILE)

Although the DP is expected to be passed by the state government in March 2018, the BMC has started work on creation of new amenities on municipal plots in the city from 2017.

This financial year, the BMC has allocated Rs2,665.37 crore — about 10% of the budget – for implementing the plan. The provision is expected to be utilised to create new open spaces, health and education facilities, social amenities and infrastructure for solid waste management in the city.

DP 2034 is a vital document projecting the city’s infrastructure needs and vision for the next 20 years. The BMC has had a poor track record with DP implementation. While only 19% of the provisions of DP 1964 were implemented, 33% of DP 1991 reflected on ground.

These include a two-acre Japanese garden in Bhandup, a one lakh square foot playground in Malad and a 3.4-acre playground in Mulund. The BMC is also working on a pilot centre in Goregaon for multi-purpose women’s housing. In his budget speech, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta said, “Earlier budgets had ignored the DP as a vital asset-building and quality of life document that needed budgetary support for its implementation.”

Data reveals that of the total allocation in 2017-18, the BMC had utilised Rs398.63 crore by December-end. “Another Rs752 crore will be utilised by the end of 2018. A major part of the DP allocation is spent on land acquisition and construction of new roads,” said a senior civic official from the DP department.

Vilas Nagalkar, an architect said, “As the track record with DP implementation has been poor, it is good to link it with the budget to analyse the progress.” This year, the BMC has allocated Rs10 crore to create a centre for capacity building and research in Borivli and Powai. The centre will look at offering courses to other local bodies on formulating DPs.