In another setback to green warriors fighting to save Aarey Colony, the BMC has paved the way for a Metro shed to be built there under its new guidelines for the draft Development Plan (DP) 2034
In another setback to green warriors fighting to save Aarey Colony, the BMC has paved the way for a Metro shed to be built there under its new guidelines for the draft Development Plan (DP) 2034.
The new guidelines, released yesterday, state that if a Metro shed is proposed in a No Development Zone (NDZ) — like Aarey, for example.
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In the guidelines, under ‘zoning provisions’, the first one states, “The use of Metro car shed and zoo will be included in NDZs”. Construction has always been restricted in NDZs due to environmental concerns.
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“So why don’t they allow skyscrapers as well?” asked environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti. “The BMC invites suggestions and objections only to throw them in the trash can later. Even the court has asked them to pay heed to our concerns.
This provision will definitely be challenged,” he added.
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The BMC is now in process of publishing its second draft of DP 2034 after citizens shot down the first one. It had even cost the then municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte his chair.
Further development?
There are two other provisions under the subhead ‘DP roads’ which call for a road grid to be shown in NDZs and saltpan lands for better integrated development. Stalin suspects that this is a sign of future construction to be undertaken there.
Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta and officials from the DP department remained unavailable for comment.
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