Ahead of 2019 polls, Maharashtra CM has a plan for Mumbai

A year before the country elects a new government, Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has played a cover drive with an aim to raise the BJP’s score in Mumbai. The new development plan (DP) drafted at his instance promises affordable houses, employment and better life for the residents.

At the same time, it has a potential of attracting wide criticism of favouritism to the builders community and making tall but false promises. It is a cover drive because Fadnavis will not get caught while attempting to score more runs but there is a possibility that the Opposition might field his drive.

After a series of controversies and allegations of vested interests and poor planning, the Fadnavis government-appointed committee of three bureaucrats on Wednesday made public the much awaited DP. It gives an outline of the city’s development till 2034 with significant impetus on housing, creation of jobs, qualitative life and protection to open spaces.

In the most significant decision, the committee has approved Floor Space Index up to five for commercial and three for residential properties. It has clarified that the FSI of five is maximum to commercial properties and not necessarily to every property. It will be in commensurate with the road width nearby the property. It will be maximum (five) for the widest road and reduce accordingly.

It has also insisted on retaining open spaces in the city as “they are parameters of quality of life”. Also, the land under No Development Zone (NDZ) has been taken up in the Special Development Zone (SDZ). The NDZ will unlock over 3,000 hectares of land that will be used for affordable housing. In addition to that, 300 hectares of salt pan land will also go for affordable homes. The committee has predicted that 10 lakh affordable houses will come up at these lands by 2034.

Earlier, Fadnavis had scrapped the DP tabled before him last year following an outcry from several quarters of the city over omissions of open spaces, hospitals, schools and other basic amenities from the DP. However, the Opposition is not satisfied. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam alleges that the DP has been drafted with a sole intention to favour the builders.

He called it a “Disaster Plan” for allowing more FSI. “The current population density of Mumbai is 31,700, which is too high. This stands true despite the fact that only 22 percent of the city is occupied by the residential areas. With this DP, the space occupied by residential areas will be increased to 50 percent adding to the problems of the Mumbaikars.”

The NCP too has questioned the government’s intention to build 10 lakh affordable houses in the city. The party points that around five lakh houses are already unsold in the city. It claims that there will be no takers for the new houses if they are sold at the market price.

Fadnavis knows the importance of winning Mumbai. He has begun on a good note. It will be interesting to watch the progress of the play.

(Courtesy of Mail Today)

Also read: India belongs to Hindus, Ramayana is not a myth: BJP govt is making (up) history