The Indian Express 01.10.2013
BMC gets 6 more months for Mumbai’s new DP
Four days ahead of the deadline for Mumbai’s new development plan
(DP), the state government on Monday decided to modify laws to give the
civic body another six months.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan informed that the Maharashtra
Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, will be modified in this
regard.
On Chavan’s insistence, the state urban development department
had inserted a provision in the MRTP on April 5, 2011, asking urban
local bodies to complete the process of preparation of DPs within four
years.
The four-year deadline for Mumbai ends on October 4. The civic
body had earlier written to the government that it was not in a position
to comply with the deadline.
Under existing provisions, the responsibility of preparing the DP
would have shifted to the town planning department headed by Chavan.
Sources said the government was not keen on taking up the
responsibility amid public outcry over discrepancies in the plan
preparation.
The BMC has faced severe criticism for inaccuracies in existing land use maps prepared for the new plan.
Sources said that the town planning department was ill-equipped to take on the mammoth task.
As a way out, it has been decided that for all cities with a
population of more than 10 lakh will be provided an additional six
months for preparation of the DP.
Sources said an ordinance will be issued in this regard.
