The draft development plan (DP) – the city's development blueprint for the next 20 years – was unveiled to group leaders of political parties at the BMC on Monday, even though its formal presentation was postponed because of NCP leader RR Patil's sudden demise. The DP is expected to be formally unveiled on Wednesday.
What does the draft plan propose to offer?
The DP for the period 2014-2034, which was to be readied last year by the BMC, has several new things to offer, in comparison to the earlier DP of 1991.
One of the important features of the draft DP is demarcating separate FSI (Floor Space Index) zones across the city, which will range from 0.15 to 8 FSI. The FSI is the ratio of a building's total area to the measurement of the land on which it is built.
Which areas will be boosted through maximum FSI?
While some of the previous 'no-development zones' have been given a FSI of 0.15, areas such as Dadar and Andheri railway stations have been given an FSI of 8, which means that there will be a boost to public transport. According to sources, selling of transfer of development rights (TDRs) may be allowed in south Mumbai as per the draft DP. At present, TDRs cannot be sold in south Mumbai.
Manoj Kotak, BJP group leader in the BMC said that his party welcomes the new DP. "The draft DP indicates a boost to cluster development, removal of encroachment and specifies areas for affordable housing, for the lower and middle income groups – termed inclusive housing.
For instance, for every 4,000 square metres of development, there has to be a 10% space reserved for inclusive housing, which will need to be ensured by the civic authorities.
Rules tightened on promise of extra FSI by builders
Kotak added: "The best part is that no person will have a discretionary power to approve open spaces. The executive engineer will be able to approve a concrete plot plan, as per the rules mentioned in the DP."
He also said that the BJP will provide all logistical support to ensure the implementation of the plan. This means that developers will not be able to promise extra FSI on their buildings, as rules have been fixed on the zonal system on the DP.
Aarey Colony opened to development
Another major development is that the area in and around Aarey Colony will be open to development. Kotak, however, cautioned: "To maintain ecological balance, we will ensure reservation of certain spaces."
Have any glitches in the plan been spotted?
Flaws in the draft DP was pointed out by opposition parties. Samajwadi Party group leader Raid Shaikh said, "The new DP has ignored the 50 per cent population that lives in slums. We will oppose declaring slums as cluster and will demand detailed survey of slums."
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