Govt may scrap DP or extend deadline for your feedback

Wary of the adverse reactions that the controversial proposed development plan (DP) for the city has generated, the state government is now seriously contemplating scrapping it. Though officials reviewing the plan have suggested that it be amended, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is said to be in favour of scrapping it altogether.

Wary of the adverse reactions that the controversial proposed development plan (DP) for the city has generated, the state government is now seriously contemplating scrapping it. Though officials reviewing the plan have suggested that it be amended, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is said to be in favour of scrapping it altogether.

The other option before the government is extending the deadline for citizens to submit their feedback on the draft DP and putting off a final decision for later.

Fadnavis is under pressure from BJP MLAs from the city, who have demanded the plan be scrapped because of the negative publicity surrounding it.

The Shiv Sena, which rules the BMC with the BJP, has already distanced itself from the proposed DP and demanded it should be scrapped. This has led to the BJP alone getting flak for serious mistakes in the plan as the BMC’s parent department and final authority on approving the plan is the state urban development department headed by Fadnavis.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, on Thursday, also demanded the plan be scrapped.

“The DP is turning out to be a major embarrassment for the government because of all the mistakes as well as the proposals in it. Hence, we will have to take a very decisive step in setting it right,” said a close aide of the CM.

Many in the government are also in favour of the state buying more time on the issue. “The committee told us three days is very little time for them to make a decision on the DP. Hence, one option before us is also giving it more time, extending the time for citizen feedback and then, taking a studied decision,” said a senior state functionary.