Mumbai Development Plan may worsen the burden on infrastructure
Can Mumbai’s newly-sanctioned Development Plan 2034, achieve the objective of providing organised living, working and movement within the city? We examine the important provisions and the shortcomings in this urban plan
The burden on Mumbai’s infrastructure has become increasingly evident over the last few years, with the city witnessing floods and worsening traffic jams. With the increasing number of high-rises, the residents have been demanding good infrastructure for better living. As a result, there were high expectations from the Mumbai Development Plan (DP) 2034, as this would be the blueprint for the future development of the city.
The floor space index (FSI) under the DP for commercial properties, has been raised up to five and for residential projects, it has been increased up to three. Earlier it was 1.33 across commercial and residential projects. For suburbs, the new FSI will be up to 2.5 for residential projects, which was earlier at two and five for commercial properties.
By opening up the salt pan lands for construction, the government has taken a crucial decision, for creating more land bank for housing, in the space-starved city. Increased FSI for residential and commercial buildings, will also lead a greater number of dwellings in the city.
However, the plan does not seem to have focused on creating better amenities, for providing a better standard of life to Mumbaikars. There is no additional space for the city to expand and handle the increasing population. There is water scarcity, the air is polluted and garbage segregation is still in its infancy. Due to increased traffic, a majority of the roads are congested and every day, train commuters are dying due to overcrowding.
The burden on Mumbai’s infrastructure has become increasingly evident over the last few years, with the city witnessing floods and worsening traffic jams. With the increasing number of high-rises, the residents have been demanding good infrastructure for better living. As a result, there were high expectations from the Mumbai Development Plan (DP) 2034, as this would be the blueprint for the future development of the city.
The floor space index (FSI) under the DP for commercial properties, has been raised up to five and for residential projects, it has been increased up to three. Earlier it was 1.33 across commercial and residential projects. For suburbs, the new FSI will be up to 2.5 for residential projects, which was earlier at two and five for commercial properties.
By opening up the salt pan lands for construction, the government has taken a crucial decision, for creating more land bank for housing, in the space-starved city. Increased FSI for residential and commercial buildings, will also lead a greater number of dwellings in the city.
However, the plan does not seem to have focused on creating better amenities, for providing a better standard of life to Mumbaikars. There is no additional space for the city to expand and handle the increasing population. There is water scarcity, the air is polluted and garbage segregation is still in its infancy. Due to increased traffic, a majority of the roads are congested and every day, train commuters are dying due to overcrowding.
Proper planning
According to reports, the civic body executed only 18 per cent of the 1961 Development Plan and 33 per cent, vis-à-vis the 1991 DP. What is striking is the lack of planning program or vision, for the implementation of the Development Plan. “The authorities wait till a development/redevelopment project for an individual plot is proposed. This creates a pocket of open space on the road and this is in no way useful for pedestrians or traffic, as adjoining plots continue to remain in the old, blocking position on road.
Monitoring on-ground implementation
The government has not formed any guidelines, akin to Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects, where the builders have to mandatorily provide a certain minimum space in the newly-developed project. This has resulted in builders not passing on the complete benefits of FSI increase, to the stakeholders of redevelopment projects. For example, if the residents’ welfare association is strong, they are able to bargain for a better deal that offers 55 per cent more space, as seen in case of developments in Ghatkopar east area. However, in other areas like Mulund, builders have given hardly 30 per cent increase over the old space occupied by tenants. It is hence, the government’s responsibility, to ensure that the benefits of the DP reaches all the stakeholders, through proper implementation and monitoring of the different schemes.
[Courtesy: Housing.Com]“Earlier when the DPs were approved, there was no monitoring done on the ground. So, the first and foremost step, should be to form a full-fledged monitoring body, to ensure effective implementation,” concludes DM Sukthankar, former secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, government of India and former municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
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