Mumbai’s municipal commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, has escalated a significant jurisdictional dispute between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to the state’s Urban Development Department (UDD).
In a sternly worded letter to the CEO of SRA, Gagrani accused the authority of overstepping its bounds by issuing development permissions that fall outside its designated role as per the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966. Citing the Development Plan and Development Control and Promotions Regulations (DCPR) 2034, Gagrani emphasized that such permissions should exclusively be under BMC’s purview as the designated planning authority. He pointed out instances where SRA had granted approvals under regulations like 33(12)(B) and 33(19), which are not aligned with the Slum Act and do not fall within its mandate. “The MRTP Act clearly delineates the responsibilities of planning authorities. SRA’s actions in issuing permissions under these regulations not only violate statutory provisions but also undermine BMC’s authority in urban planning,” stated Gagrani in his letter.
Gagrani highlighted specific cases where SRA’s approvals failed to comply with DCPR 2034, potentially leading to legal repercussions. He urged SRA to immediately cease issuing such permissions and requested the withdrawal of already granted permissions to prevent further legal complications. “The BMC has formally approached the UDD to intervene in this matter, seeking clarity and corrective action to uphold the integrity of planning regulations,” Gagrani asserted. This development underscores ongoing challenges within Mumbai’s urban governance framework, where clarity and adherence to planning laws are crucial for sustainable development and legal compliance. As the dispute unfolds, stakeholders await further directives from the state authorities to resolve the jurisdictional conflict between BMC and SRA effectively.
