10 August,2026 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak Mehta
A fishermen colony overlooking the Bandra-Worli sea link. Pic/istock
A community-led draft of Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) for Mumbai's Koliwadas and Gaothans was submitted to Mayor Ritu Tawde on Friday, with representatives of several Koliwadas and Gaothans seeking separate development rules for the city's indigenous communities.
The Koliwada Gaonthan Seva Samiti also raised three long-pending demands: demarcation of Koliwadas and Gaothans in Mumbai City and the suburbs, inclusion of expanded Koliwada areas in the Development Plan (DP) and Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), and a separate DCPR/Unified DCPR (UDCPR) framework for these settlements.
Koliwada and Gaothan representatives during a meeting with Mayor Ritu Tawde at her office on Friday, where a community-led draft DCPR was submitted. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The meeting was attended by representatives of Koliwadas and Gaothans, public representatives and government officials.
According to Samiti chairperson Ujwala Patil, earlier proposals, including slum redevelopment-based policies, did not address the community's concerns. More than six years ago, a bottom-up exercise was started to frame development regulations in consultation with residents.
Urban planning expert Pankaj Joshi, Principal Director, Urban Centre, said the process involved 26 consultation meetings with representatives of Koliwadas and Gaothans across Mumbai.
"After 26 consultation meetings with local representatives of Mumbai's various Koliwadas and Gaothans, we have finally come up with a draft DCPR for the development rights of this indigenous community. This is a first for the city's original inhabitants," said Joshi.
He said women formed the majority of participants in the consultation process, citing their role in the community's livelihoods.
>> Redevelopment under Koliwada Gaothan areas shall be strictly under enabling provisions of DCR 33(16) (d) only.)
>> Development proposals be approved only after obtaining 70 per cent consent from village elder/gavki, described as original inhabitants and their legal heirs.
>> Koliwada-Gaothan areas be given different development options depending on their requirements.
A man walks through a narrow alley at Worli Koliwada. Pic/istock
1. Heritage/minimal development
Retain existing character with limited new construction and the provision of Heritage Transferable Development Rights(TDR).
2. Incremental development
Allow additions, including extra floors.
3. Limited redevelopment
Permit redevelopment but with urban form guidelines.
4. Redevelopment with expansion
Allow redevelopment along with expansion of the existing gaothan/village area.
>> A moratorium on demolition action in Koliwadas and Gaothans until the proposed regulations are framed.
>> Demarcation of expanded Koliwada areas.
>> Inclusion of these areas in the DP and CZMP.
>> A separate regulatory framework for their development.
>> A nodal mechanism to coordinate between civic and state departments.
The draft has been submitted through the Mayor's office. Civic and state government officials are expected to examine it before any formal proposal is considered.
According to the Samiti, once it submits another formal letter, Tawde said she would organise a joint meeting under the chairmanship of the Guardian Ministers of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburbs with government and civic officials concerned.
The Samiti said the Mayor also proposed appointing a nodal officer or agency, with the consent of the Guardian Ministers, to coordinate the process.
Ujwala Patil, Chairperson, Koliwada Gaonthan Seva Samiti
"Kolis have been struggling for our rights for decades now. Years of dissatisfaction paired with the recent hit to our earnings and livelihoods have made the community very troubled lately. Many are reaching their tipping point and are ready to protest on a large scale. It's important for the government to solve the concerns soon. These are indigenous people who aren't even permitted self-development on their own land."
Chintamani Nivte, Municipal Councillor, Ward H West
"I had formally raised the issue in the sabhagrah and in a letter to the Mayor prior as well. I finally arranged this meeting with all the stakeholders so that issues of Mumbai's Koliwadas could get a common platform and action could be taken in coordination."
