DP row: BMC turns down Shiv Sena's demand

Last month, the Shiv Sena deferred the move of naming three members stating it wants all group leaders to be a part of the committee

The Brihanmumbai Municpal Corporation (BMC) administration has turned down the Shiv Sena’s demand to include all group leaders in a committee that will hear citizens’ suggestions on the Development Plan (DP) 2034. In a reply to mayor Snehal Ambekar, the municipal commissioner stated that the demand will require an amendment to the Mumbai Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act, which is impossible to do within two months.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta stated that according to the MRTP, only three members from the standing committee of the civic body can be part of the planning committee. (HT File Photo)

Ambekar had written a letter to the commissioner asking for the roles, power and functions of the planning committee. In his reply, dated September 8, civic chief Ajoy Mehta stated that according to the MRTP, only three members from the standing committee of the civic body can be part of the planning committee.

He also said that members from the standing committee should be nominated soon as the planning committee has only two months before it has to submit a report to the corporation.

Last month, the Shiv Sena deferred the move of naming three members stating it wants all group leaders to be a part of the committee. The opposition criticised this move, calling it a tactic to delay the plan before the 2017 BMC elections.

The state named its experts on August 12. This committee, according to section 28 of the MRTP act, is expected to submit a report on the hearings within two months of its date of formation. A senior civic official said the committee has started meeting. “They have initiated their internal meetings for the procedure to be followed.”

With the Shiv Sena deferring the move, the committee has lost one month. Highly-placed sources said that the objections filed by citizens will not be heard if the committee does not act soon. “The three experts have started hearing suggestions from officials. The elected heads may not get a chance to be represented if the Shiv Sena does not name the members soon,” said Pravin Chheda, Congress corporator.