Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Submits Revised Development Plan After 33 Years

Navi Mumbai, 25th February 2024: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recently submitted its first development plan (DP) in 33 years to the state government. Initially proposing 625 plot reservations, the revised plan now includes 537 plots after de-reserving 88 plots earmarked for public amenities like playgrounds, schools, hospitals, gardens, community centres, and parking.

The draft DP, published on August 10, 2022, under Section 26(1) of the Maharashtra Regional Planning and Town Planning Act 1966, garnered over 16,000 suggestions and objections. The NMMC formed a planning committee to address concerns, resulting in a reduction in plot reservations to optimize development potential. This move is expected to financially benefit CIDCO, Navi Mumbai’s planning authority.

The DP focuses on developing sports facilities, school and building redevelopment, and reorganizing public amenities. Notable changes include the optimization of reserved plots and efforts to unlock the development potential of private lands in various areas.

While some, like former corporator Kishore Patkar, applaud the decision, others express scepticism. Former MLA Sandeep Naik of the BJP argues that the reserved plots were essential for planned development, and their de-reservation could lead to mismanagement. Naik calls for a careful approach, suggesting the exchange of reserved plots between NMMC and CIDCO within nodes.

Congress Youth leader Aniket Mhatre criticizes the NMMC for the delay in proposing the DP and highlights concerns about transparency, potential discrimination, and a sacrifice of public amenities for commercial reasons. Congress spokesperson Ravindra Sawant points out that the lack of elected representatives in the civic body contributes to arbitrary decisions.

The DP proposes changes in Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) for Navi Mumbai, addressing issues like road widening, playgrounds for small kids, and even cremation plot reservations for pets. The administrator, Rajesh Narvekar, emphasizes the completion of a crucial process and awaits state government approval for DP implementation. The changes in DCPR aim to boost sports facilities, address infrastructure issues in CIDCO-constructed buildings, and make provisions for open areas in redevelopment projects.