Good news for Mumbaikars! After a long delay, finally Maharashtra Government has approved the much awaited Mumbai Development Plan 2034 which aims at creating a million affordable homes in the city and provides extra floor space index (FSI) for both residential and commercial construction.
The plan talks about using salt pan lands for affordable housing. According to the plan, out of the 3,355 hectares in no-development zone, BMC has earmarked 2,100 hectares as well as 330 hectares of salt pan land for affordable housing.
Apart from affordable housing, the plan also focuses on ways to create more jobs. The DP has given incentives for commercial structures to have extra floor space index (FSI). Residential buildings will also be given extra FSI subject to road width. Data centers have been allowed a height of 6 meters to encourage setting up of more such centers.
Giving more information about the plan, Maharashtra Urban Development department Principal Secretary Nitin Kareer said, “Among other major issues, availability of open spaces is well taken care of. No open space reservation has been removed even as some extra open space is proposed to be created because the government feels that open space is the important parameter of the quality of life.”
He further said that the land that falls under No Development Zone (NDZ) category, where the civic body can provide infrastructure, can now be utilised for the purpose of affordable housing as well as creating other amenities under the Special Development Zone (SDZ).
CM Devendra Fadnavis has already approved the blueprint of the plan. In next 10 days, the notification will be issued. And within a month after notification, the new development plan will be implemented.
Talking to the media, BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said, “Over 3,000 hectares of land would be available for building affordable houses after unlocking the NDZ land. As per our estimate, about 10 lakh affordable houses will be built on these lands by 2034.”
Welcoming the move, real estate experts said that the new plan will help in boosting both residential and commercial development in the city. For the first time, a DP has given focus on the commercial real estate which will help in decongesting existing central business districts.
According to realty expert, the development plan 2034 is highly positive for affordable housing development in the city. It will also result in massive real estate activity in the region. Overall, with many real estate developments, the new DP will definitely prove positive for the city’s growth.