Environmentalists are upset with the BMC’s plan of releasing land from No Development Zones. The BMC recently released its draft Development Control Regulations (DCR) in which it has proposed unlocking of around 3,000 hectares of the 13,000 hectares - worth NDZs marked in the previous, DCR 1991. This land will be divided into three parts: 33% will have affordable housing, 33% will have public open spaces and 34% will be kept with the owner. The idea is to have public open spaces in the middle of the residential areas. Besides, the first two thirds will also have reservations for institutional areas, social, medical and educational amenities.

However, environmentalists feel it is a builder-driven DP. Stalin D said, “They have completely destroyed the spirit of NDZ that were reserved to improve the quality of life. Mumbai needs quality of life in terms of open spaces and pure air. The government is not doing anything in that direction. I agree that we need affordable housing. That end can be achieved by redeveloping slums and chawls.”