"In the development plan for 2034, open space has been earmarked for slums or colonies existing for over 50 years,where over 20,000 people reside," said Nilesh Patil, an activist, who represented the cause of S-ward at the hearing.
Hearings by the civic body's planning committee on suggestions and objections to the city's 20-year Development Plan (DP) 2034 concluded on Thursday after over 12,000 objections and suggestions were heard by the committee. Over the last two days, hearings were open for the S-ward and general objections.
Activists and residents of S-ward raised objections to the provision for a large open space in an area with existing settlements. They suggested that small open spaces should be earmarked at defunct industrial units, instead of at places with settlements.
"In the development plan for 2034, open space has been earmarked for slums or colonies existing for over 50 years,where over 20,000 people reside," said Nilesh Patil, an activist, who represented the cause of S-ward at the hearing.
Patil said that in 2012, the corporation had brought in the existing land map, in which these settlements were marked. But in the new DP, these settlements have been shown as open space. "We want open space, but at a different place. In the current development plan, an oversized open space has been suggested, while we require small spaces at various places across the ward," said Patil.
He added that the committee has noted down suggestions for open spaces at defunct industrial units in Bhandup.
Meanwhile, the administration wants to submit the development plan before the code of conduct for BMC elections kick in. However, a segment of politicians want the DP to be submitted later to avoid its impact on the upcoming polls.
The civic elections for the city will be held in February 2017, and the committee had sought an extension till mid-January. The planning committee comprises three corporators from the Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance and three urban experts appointed by the state government. The committee report will be tabled in the general body meeting, and once approved, it will be sent to the state government for final approval. This means that there is a high chance that the DP will be released by the BMC only after the elections.
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