The Maharashtra government has revised its plans for Special Development Zones (SDZs) in Mumbai, reducing the allowable construction limit from 80% to 65%.
This change, announced through a recent corrigendum to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034 (DCPR 2034), aims to allocate the remaining 35% of land to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for public open spaces, such as parks and recreational areas. The modification comes seven months after the state government had halted plans for affordable housing on environmentally sensitive mangrove and saltpan lands, opting instead for the redevelopment of existing high-density slums within these SDZs.
This decision was part of a broader strategy to repurpose these areas, previously classified as no-development zones, into designated SDZs. The revised regulation, which affects plots with densities of 350-499 tenements per hectare, has sparked controversy among environmentalists and activists. Critics argue that the move could undermine environmental safeguards by converting ecologically sensitive lands into reserved open spaces.
They contend that these areas, which play a crucial role in flood management and climate resilience, should remain protected rather than being developed for recreational use. One activist described the government’s actions as an attempt to mislead the public, suggesting that the conversion of SDZs into open spaces is a guise for further development. The concern is that these lands, which serve as environmental buffers, are at risk of degradation, potentially exacerbating Mumbai’s flooding issues and compromising the city’s ability to combat climate change.
In addition to the SDZ changes, a separate notification has been issued for affordable housing across Maharashtra, excluding Mumbai. This proposal includes a provision for selling one-fourth of tenements as service quarters, intended for buyers’ domestic staff. It also proposes using the affordable housing component to rehabilitate factory workers and tenants displaced by industrial closures.
