Mumbai News: BMC Clarifies On Gaothan, Koliwada & Adivasi Pada Boundaries In Development Plan
**Mumbai: BMC to Mark Missing Boundaries of Gaothans, Koliwadas, and Adivasi Padas in Development Plan**
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has assured that if the boundaries of gaothans, koliwadas, and adivasi padas are missing in the city’s Development Plan (DP), they will be marked once finalized in the revenue department records. This clarification comes in response to concerns raised by citizens’ groups that only 52 of the 189 gaothans in Mumbai have been marked on the DP.
The Chief Engineer (DP) highlighted that under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the Urban Development Department approved the DP for the Greater Mumbai area 2034 through a government notification dated May 8, 2018. The issue primarily involves coordination with the revenue and fisheries departments, according to the BMC.
Residents of these settlements, many of which predate the establishment of Mumbai, have been advocating for the accurate marking of their areas on the DP. They fear that without official recognition, their localities might be classified as slums, forcing them into slum rehabilitation projects.
“We have already filed Public Interest Litigation No.55 of 2019 in Bombay High Court because the BMC did not mark many gaothans and koliwadas in the DP 2034, despite our representations highlighting these omissions. Additionally, there are no separate Development Control Promotion Regulations (DCPR) for gaothans and koliwadas in Mumbai, even though such regulations have been framed for the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” said Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation.
According to the BMC:
– Based on boundary maps received from the Urban Development Department, a total of 22 koliwadis in Mumbai Suburban District have been marked on the DP.
– From the boundary maps obtained from Urban Survey Officers of the revenue department and the District Superintendent of Land Records for Mumbai Suburban District, 115 boundaries (polygons) in 64 village gaothans have been shown on the DP 2034.
The Chief Engineer (DP) assured that once the BMC obtains maps and diagrams reflecting the boundaries of the remaining koliwadas and gaothans, these will be incorporated into the Development Plan 2034 accordingly.
Regarding the issue of the absence of specific DCPR for these localities, the Chief Engineer (DP) stated that there is a provision in DCPR 2034 for reconstruction and redevelopment of such areas. Currently, this provision is temporarily kept in abeyance. The Commissioner has requested the Urban Development Department (UDD) to issue instructions for making suitable changes to the regulations. Further action will be taken upon receiving appropriate directives from the UDD.
Meanwhile, resident associations representing the gaothan communities, including the United Christian Front, have appealed to Ashish Shelar, the district guardian minister, urging him to champion the cause of gaothan inhabitants and ensure they receive rightful protection.
“Please help save the gaothans from extinction and ensure that the original Mumbaikars continue to live decently in their gaothan homes. We once again appeal to you to kindly issue orders for immediate demarcation of the remaining 137 Mumbai gaothans,” appealed Advocate Alexander Dsouza of the United Christian Council and former Christian Samaj Pramukh, Mumbai BJP Minority Morcha.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-clarifies-on-gaothan-koliwada-adivasi-pada-boundaries-in-development-plan
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