Mumbai’s development plan: State formula to develop mill land hits roadblock

The Centre has objected allowing the entire mill land to be divided into three parts.

The state’s proposal to change land-sharing formula for development of defunct textile mill lands in Mumbai has hit a roadblock.

The state proposed to revert to the old formula, which allowed owners of mills to develop the land only after handing over two-thirds of it to the BMC and Mhada. (HT File Photo)

As part of the Development Control and Promotions Regulations (DCPR) 2034, the state proposed to revert to the old formula, which allowed owners of the mills to develop the land only after handing over two-thirds of it to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and MHADA. A change in the formula in 2003 had exempted mill land that had structures and allowed sharing of only vacant land.

The state has been forced to put it on hold as the Centre has objected to allow the entire mill land to be divided into three parts.

Their contention is a majority of privately owned mill land in Mumbai has been developed, and most of the remaining defunct mill land is now owned by government’s National Textile Corporation.

Nitin Kareer, principle secretary of urban development ministry, said, “The formula has not yet been changed. This change has been put on hold. Stringency towards development will still apply. No development can be carried out on mill lands as of now.”