Rules to favour gaothans and Koliwadas

The new coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) rules that the Centre is likely to announce for Mumbai call for a separate action plan for protecting gaothans and koliwadas.

The new coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) rules that the Centre is likely to announce for Mumbai call for a separate action plan for protecting gaothans and koliwadas. Those located farther away from the coast will be able to undertake redevelopment.

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The city’s coastline is home to 32 koliwadas and 137 gaothans. “The old CRZ rules had stopped redevelopment altogether,” said Mayank Gandhi, a promoter of Remaking of Mumbai Federation which has put forth a Rs 12,000-crore proposal to redevelop C ward in south Mumbai.

Gandhi expressed concern that the new rules do not make cluster development compulsory. “Also, the notification has not made green measures compulsory for buildings.”

Pankaj Joshi, executive director, Urban Design Research Institute, said: “Once the shoreline is open for development, what happens to access to waterfronts for public? How is this an integrated approach keeping local interests in mind?”