BMC to stress on creation of affordable housing

The BMC has decided to stress on the creation of affordable housing, one of the most critical deficiencies in the city. The civic body is planning to reserve land for the project in the city's draft Development Plan 2034.

The draft DP aims to balance the city's economy with environment and social equity — it's looking at enhancing open spaces and recreational avenues. The BMC is in the process of including all the suggestions and objections received in the plan. It is planning to get the draft ready by May 31, if all goes well.

Decongesting the city and providing affordable housing to the needy will help the civic body in tackling illegal structures.

The revision effort is also directed towards a full implementation of the DP through a combination of a new Accommodation Reservation Policy and FSI and TDR. Gap analysis for the quantum of shortfall in the various categories of reservations is being worked out.

In the meanwhile, the BMC has undertaken the 'Integrated Slum Improvement Programme'. A provision of Rs10 crore was made for this programme in 2015-16. As the slum improvement is our priority, the said provision is increased to Rs100 crore in budget estimates 2016-17. This provision will be utilised for improvement of slums in a time-bound manner.