Mumbai’s development plan will be ready by end of March, open spaces will not be compromised: CM

CM Devendra Fadnavis also said there would be an independent development control rule for gaothans, koliwadas, tribal hamlets in the city

While announcing on Wednesday, that the Development Plan (DP) for Mumbai – 2034 would be announced by the end of this month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government has decided on principle that open spaces in the city will not be compromised.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (HT File Photo)

He also said there will be an independent development control rule (DCR) for gaothans, koliwadas and tribal hamlets within the city.

He also hinted that there will be provisions in the DCR to enable affordable housing.

A screening committee that comprises officials from urban development, housing and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are looking at provisions in the framework of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and if the provisions are as per the act.

“After the civic body and its general body approved the DP, we received it on August 2, 2017 for approval. The director, town planning had submitted his opinion on the DP on February 2, 2018. The screening committee of the top officials is vetting the changes and provisions recommended by the civic body at various levels. Though the state can take two and half years after it is submitted by the civic body, it will be released by the government by month-end,” the CM said.

Fadnavis said the government has put forth certain principles while clearing the planning document for the city for the next 20 years.

“We will not touch a single open space in the city. There will be no compromise related to the open spaces, except those governed by the court rulings, the DP released in 1991 and have certain errors related to the Existing Land Use and other provisions. We have decided not to accept the resolutions passed by the BMC in relation to such open spaces,” he said.

The DCR will have the provision for the demarcation of gaothans, koliwadas and the tribal hamlets. Above it, the civic body chief will be empowered for the demarcation of these settlements if they are left out in the DCR, he added.

Besides an independent DCR for these settlements, Fadnavis said another principle set while finalising the DCR is to ensure creation of the maximum stock of the affordable housing.

“Even the BMC has suggested us for the changes in the DCR on similar lines,” he said.