Thane advocate's PIL requests adoption of impact assessment

Last month, the Maharashtra state government had approved the cluster redevelopment scheme in Thane and Navi Mumbai. While this decision is set to affect close to 5.5 lakh people in these cities, advocate Dattatray Daund, a resident of Thane, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on March 5 at the Bombay high court, requesting the adoption of impact assessment in Thane district and Mumbai while implementing the cluster redevelopment scheme.

As per the petitioner, "The cluster redevelopment plan should be beneficial to the increasing population in these areas. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) had adopted impact assessment two years back which proved to be beneficial, hence it would be ideal to adopt the same in other districts as well. CRISIL risk infrastructure solutions had helped NMMC in adopting impact assessment and these can be used as a reference," said Daund.

Impact assessment provides detailed land housing allocation, planning and distribution of infrastructure design, realignment of roads and infrastructure, redevelopment of building patterns as per the current parking requirements, neighbourhood levels, commercial requirements, space for social infrastructure and open areas, the building fabric of gaothans and land allocation for the economically weaker sections' (EWS) housing. With the increase in floor space index (FSI), more flats would be made available and this in turn will increase the population.

Planning is essential to cater to the increasing population. More health and educational infrastructure should be provided to adequately support the increasing population. Apart from infrastructure, upgrading and maintenance of gardens and conservation of nearly 24 lakh mangrove pockets in these districts is also important. "It is essential to study the level of population that can be supported by the currently available physical and social environmental infrastructure," added Daund.

"Increase in FSI would lead to creation of additional housing stock, multi storied buildings. In order to ensure sustainability of development, it is important to limit the growth of the city to the extent that can be serviced by the existing and planned infrastructure," said Daund.

NMMC as of now, allows 50% incremental incentive FSI, up to maximum FSI of 1.8 for redevelopment or reconstruction of gaothans, dilapidated and damaged Cidco or NMMC buildings provided the buildings are located outside the designated congested areas. This move has helped accommodate close to 13 lakh additional people in the NMMC areas. Thus compact cities can be created by allowing higher FSI.

This PIL has been filed against all the municipal corporations in Thane district, including Palghar and Dahanu, as well as in Mumbai.