4.78 lakh Mumbaikars to gain from new coastal zone norms

Will allow development of old houses, slums, fishermen colonies

Nearly 4.78 lakh Mumbaikars will benefit from the new coastal zone regulations that have lifted restrictions on construction along the coastline. Residents of 620 dilapidated buildings, 146 slum clusters and 40-odd koliwada (fishermen’s colonies) along Mumbai’s coast have enough reasons to rejoice and look forward to better living conditions.

Proposed redevelopment under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, will allow a uniform floor space index (FSI) — the permissible built-up area to the size of the plot — of 2.5, instead of the current 1.3.

Besides, the fishing community living in the 40 koliwadas would be mapped and declared under CRZ III, from the present CRZ II. The classification would allow them to construct or renovate the dwelling units in accordance with applicable local town and country planning regulations.

“Special dispensation for Mumbai has been granted after recognising the enormous pressure on it. There is no capitulation. The liberalisation of CRZ has been a huge gamble and a huge step for the city. Had this not been done, Mumbai would continue to bleed,” said Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh.

Ramesh, however, made it clear the redevelopment of slums and dilapidated structures in Mumbai would have to be done in a transparent manner.

“The stake of the state government or its agencies will not be less than 51 per cent in slum redevelopment projects. The Right to Information Act, 2005, will be applicable to all redevelopment or reconstruction projects that have been granted clearance by the competent authorities.”

“Auditing will be done by the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in case of projects relating to slum redevelopment and by the empanelled statutory auditor of CAG in case of redevelopment of dilapidated, cessed and unsafe structures,” said Ramesh.

He added that a high level oversight committee will be set up for periodic reviews by the state government. Further, in order to protect and preserve the “green lung” of the Greater Mumbai area, all open spaces, parks, gardens, playgrounds indicated in the development plans within CRZ II would be categorised as a no-development zone or CRZ III.

Ramesh sought the state government’s help to probe violations under the Coastal Zone Regulation Notification 1991. “All states, including Maharashtra, will be asked to carry out a satellite imagery of these Adarsh type violations as done by Goa and initiate action against the violators in the next four months.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who accompanied Ramesh, said the government will take all necessary measures to curb violations of the CRZ Notification, 2011, to ensure that development and environment protection is done responsibly.

The government would prepare an action plan for the solid waste management and conduct a study by the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, to curb water pollution in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra.