The Maharashtra government is preparing changes to development regulations that could allow repairs, reconstruction and increased building heights in old industrial estates in Mira-Bhayandar and other Mumbai suburbs, officials said during an inspection of the area on September 5.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department Asim Kumar Gupta inspected industrial estates in Mira-Bhayandar with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and senior officials. The visit was intended to assess the condition of the industrial areas and understand the difficulties faced by manufacturers and traders, according to the report.
Industrial establishments linked to the steel sector have operated in Mira-Bhayandar since 1975. The area is home to thousands of small and large units, and the industry supplies markets in India and overseas. However, many older industrial units now face constraints because roads in the city have been raised over time, leaving several premises below the surrounding road level.
The existing structures are also reportedly inadequate for modern machinery. Industrial operations increasingly use hydraulic equipment requiring clear heights of between 15 and 17 feet. As a result, owners have been seeking permission to increase the height of industrial units, as well as to repair or reconstruct older buildings.
Rajendra Mittal, president of the Mira-Bhayandar Stainless Steel Manufacturer and Traders Association, has sought permission for industrial units to have a height of 24 feet at the rear and 20 feet at the front. The demand is linked to the operational requirements of modern machinery and the physical limitations of older industrial premises.
Gupta said the government was positive about making the necessary changes to the existing regulations and preparing a new framework for the development of industrial areas. He said the inspection had been conducted to understand ground-level conditions and the problems faced by entrepreneurs, after which further action would be taken.
If the regulations are amended, older industrial establishments could receive a clearer route for repairs and reconstruction. Additional height could also make it possible to install newer machinery. Entrepreneurs expect the changes to support industrial expansion and increase investment and employment opportunities in Mira-Bhayandar and other suburban industrial estates.
The government has not yet announced the final provisions, approval process, implementation date or the formal notification for the proposed changes. Further action will follow the inspection and the preparation of the revised regulatory framework.
