Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has warned that the Urban Renewal Scheme or excessive floor space index cannot be implemented in Navi Mumbai until the city’s impact assessment report is completed, saying he is prepared to approach the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court to protect the city.
Naik made the remarks during the launch of the ‘Angan Adoption Scheme’ under the ‘Fragrant City Campaign’ in Navi Mumbai. He also said he would take to the streets if an attempt was made to introduce the planning measures without completing the assessment.
“Until Navi Mumbai’s impact assessment report is completed, the URS scheme or unreasonable FSI cannot be implemented,” Naik said, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane. “If such an attempt is made, we are prepared to go to the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court for Navi Mumbai’s protection. If required, we will take to the streets.”
The impact assessment report referred to by Naik would be relevant to evaluating the consequences of changes in development regulations, including higher FSI. FSI determines the amount of construction permitted on a plot in relation to its area. Any increase can affect the scale and density of development and place additional demands on roads, water supply, drainage, public services and other urban infrastructure. The report’s completion status and the authority responsible for releasing it were not specified in the report.
Naik’s comments came alongside remarks on the political tension surrounding caste and religious issues, student protests and the demand for Maratha reservation. He said ministers in the state government were under pressure because of these developments and referred to drought-like conditions in the state.
Without naming any individual, Naik said that “fires” started by some people could no longer be extinguished. He also said those who had “let the ghost out of the bottle” should be responsible for controlling it, and argued that “pretence and disguise” could not be maintained permanently without a realistic life.
The remarks have drawn political attention because they were made while the agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil over Maratha reservation was continuing, according to the report. Naik did not identify the leader or group targeted by his comments.
For Navi Mumbai, the specific planning question raised by the minister is whether major changes in development intensity should proceed before their effects on the city are formally assessed. Naik did not provide a timeline for the impact assessment report, identify the proposed FSI level or outline the details of the URS proposal. The next stated step is his warning that legal action and public protests could follow if the measures are advanced before the assessment is completed.
