After a marathon discussion in the Assembly on Mumbai’s infrastructure problems, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan replied, “We need to reconsider the current FSI policy. Keeping in mind the space crunch and available infrastructure, the expert committee will give suggestions on how much vertical growth can be allowed,” he said.

The panel will comprise the municipal commissioner, urban development secretary and experts from industry. New buildings will have to follow eco-friendly policies, he said.

MLAs slammed the government on its failure to curb slum growth, and Chavan admitted, “Despite various existing laws there have been loopholes at various levels... We will conduct a land audit and, with the help of GPS, we will map slums,” he said. He added the state wanted to follow the Prime Minister’s vision on eradicating slums, and was willing to give protection for hutments that have come up till a cutoff of 2000.

A panel under the Chief Secretary will conduct the land audit and submit a report. Chavan said that those helping encroachment will face strict action under the Slum Act.

To help the BMC demolish slums, 1,099 new police posts will be approved. Chavan said slums on Central land, including railway and defence land, have been told to follow the state’s SRA policy and carry out development. CMspeak
* 5% built-up area to be reserved as affordable workplace for small businesses like tailoring, ironing. Rates to be decided, lots to be drawn
* BEST told to consider power generation and move beyond distribution
* MHADA to do pilot project for SRA. It had earlier proposed that private developers do so.
* MMRDA not interfering with BMC, only helping reduce burden
* Hospitals to be developed in North Mumbai.

To deal with the problem of water shortage during the summer season, HUDA has restricted washing of cars, driveways and watering plants during peak load hours. The ban is applicable from five to nine in the morning and the same hours in the evening slot. Officials also claim to be conducting surprise checks in various sectors to catch the defaulters. No fines are, however, imposed as officials believe in giving a “second chance”.

“It is a three-step system that we are following to check ‘misuse’ of water during the peak load hours. First-timers are being let off with a warning and in case, they again are caught again, a notice will be issued to them. We are keeping a tab on people who have been sent notices and if they continue wasting water, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed in the next water bill,” said A K Aggarwal, superintending engineer, HUDA Circle.The body has issued over 550 notices since the ban came into force in the first week of April.

Aggarwal, however, defended the claim that HUDA was being soft on defaulters by not issuing challans. “Last year, we had fined over 80 households for wasting water. Habitual offenders would not be let off at any cost. We are even clicking pictures and recording instances as proof,” he said.

He also justified the heavy fine amount by saying that it would act as a deterrent for those wasting water. Officials are also conducting surprise raids at residences to check the use of online motors, which they claim, directly uses underground water, thereby reducing the water pressure to a great extent.