MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has made significant changes to its plans for Special Development Zones (SDZs) in Mumbai, introducing new restrictions on construction within these environmentally sensitive areas.
Approximately seven months after abandoning a controversial plan for affordable housing on mangrove and saltpan lands, the government has now proposed limiting construction on these plots to 65%, down from the previously planned 80%. The remaining 35% of the land is to be designated for open space amenities, to be managed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
This revision, detailed in a corrigendum issued by the state Urban Development Department last month, invites public objections and suggestions regarding modifications to Regulation 33(8) and Regulation 34 of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. These regulations govern affordable housing and land use within SDZs, which are defined as areas with 350-499 tenements per hectare. Despite the government’s attempt to present this move as a positive step, environmental activists have expressed strong concerns.
They argue that any construction on saltpan and mangrove lands—previously classified as no-development zones—could have detrimental effects on Mumbai’s ecosystem. According to activists, these areas act as crucial environmental buffers, and their alteration could exacerbate the city’s flooding issues and reduce its resilience to climate change. An activist criticised the government’s approach, suggesting that the proposed changes are misleading.
“Converting eco-sensitive zones into reserved public open spaces is a flawed strategy. While more open spaces are needed, these areas are vital environmental safeguards,” the activist stated. They further argued that there is sufficient land elsewhere in Mumbai to accommodate slum redevelopment without encroaching on sensitive ecological areas. In addition, the government has issued a separate notification for Maharashtra—excluding Mumbai—that seeks public feedback on a proposal to allow affordable housing on former industrial plots.
