The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its revised draft Development Plan (DP) 2034, has given blanket permission to the state government to implement its transport projects in the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its revised draft Development Plan (DP) 2034, has given blanket permission to the state government to implement its transport projects in the city. It has also brought to fore the differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena, with the later alleging this was an attempt to undermine the civic body’s authority.
In the chapter ‘special provisions’ in the draft DP, the BMC has said that any modifications in the Mass Rapid Transport System would be automatically amended in the DP. It will be also be applicable to new transport projects. “Any alignment modifications introduced in Metro/Mono/Elevated Corridors/Corridors of Mass Rapid Transport System, including BRTS, by the appropriate authority and sanctioned by Government shall stand automatically amended on the Development Plan as modified. Furthermore, any new ‘Transport Corridor’ such as Metro/Mono/Elevated Corridors/Corridors of Mass Rapid Transit System, including BRTS, proposed by Appropriate Authority and sanctioned by Government, shall stand automatically added on to Development Plan (sic),” read the DP. This means that projects can be implemented without taking into account public opinion.
However, Sena has strongly objected to the clause, saying that BMC chief Ajoy Mehta himself is trying to curtail civic body’s rights. Raising the issue in the civic standing committee on Wednesday, House leader Trishna Vishwasrao said, “Never before has the municipal commissioner given blanket permission to any authority. The rights of corporators to have a say in such issues have also been violated due to this.”
However, BJP group leader Manoj Kotak said that such a provision would be helpful in expediting transport projects in the city. Alleging that Sena was politicising the issue, he said there was no need to raise the issue in the standing committee and it could be discussed in the BMC House.
Additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh said that the draft DP would be tabled before the BMC House, seeking an approval for publication on May 27. It would be later open for public suggestions and objections. “Once they are accommodated, the draft DP will be tabled before the civic House again,” he added.
