Mumbai DP map goof-up: BMC marks plots in sea, nullahs

In addition, in all the maps for island city, western and eastern suburbs, sea colour and natural water course is shown in different colours, creating confusion.

In a major goof-up in planning the city for the next twenty years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) literally went into the sea. In BMC’s new development plan (DP), at least six plots around Haji Ali have been marked in the sea, two plots with city survey number were marked in the sea along Madh Island, while some plots in Mahul and Oshiwara have been marked in nullahs.

With only a week left for sending in suggestions/objections for eastern suburbs maps, the city-based Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) has highlighted recurring errors in DP maps.(HT File)

With only a week left for sending in suggestions/objections for eastern suburbs maps, the city-based Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) has highlighted recurring errors in DP maps, demanding clarification from authorities. “Is marking plots in sea, a clerical error? If it is an error, the authorities need to immediately rectify it and release a clarification. The implications of such errors are huge,” said Pankaj Joshi, director, UDRI.

In addition, in all the maps for island city, western and eastern suburbs, sea colour and natural water course is shown in different colours, creating confusion. In one instance, along the eastern coast, the sea is not marked on the maps, while it is marked in other maps.

Citizens can still send objections and suggestions for eastern suburbs maps till August 24.

BMC had uploaded the DP sheets (ward-wise maps) for the island city and the western and eastern suburbs on portal.mcgm.gov.in or www.mcgm.gov.in to be studied within a month. The DP has been divided into two parts – sanctioned (the one prepared after including the objections and suggestions) and excluded part or EP.

The UDRI had also requested authorities to upload the entire map which includes both EP and sanctioned part to gauge full implications. However, there has been no response to the request from the state department.

BMC has asked citizens to not panic and take assistance of the help desk at their headquarters. “Citizens should not panic as these are clerical errors and will be rectified. We have found out nearly 5,000 clerical errors like wrong colour for marking residential and open spaces, traffic island, and areas marked in the sea,” said a senior BMC official, requesting anonymity.

The suggestions/objections should be sent to the deputy director of town planning, Greater Mumbai at E block, ENSA Hutment, Azad Maidan, Mumbai. The planning authority has already begun the hearing for the suggestions and objections to the development control and promotional regulations (DCPR), released in May, this year.