Shiv Sena likely to oppose RDDP in BMC

The Revised Draft Development Plan (RDDP) 2034 for Mumbai is likely to be yet another bone of contention between BJP and Shiv Sena which have already locked horns over several issues.

Sena leaders have raised concerns by indicating that they will oppose the plan in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which the party is ruling.

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray said in his tweet, “Uddhavji has given his suggestions and concerns about the RDDP; touching NDZ and green zones being the major concern. There were also some improvements suggested. However, all these will be formally presented in the BMC general body meeting by the party.”

The BMC in its RDDP 2034 has proposed a uniform FSI of 2 for residential buildings and FSI of up to 5 for commercial structures, thus paving the way for skyscrapers across the city. FSI is the ratio of a building’s total floor area to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built. The civic body has also proposed removing restrictions in No Development Zone (NDZ) areas and dividing them into three parts i.e. 33 per cent for open spaces, 33 per cent for affordable housing, and 34 per cent for owners to construct saleable buildings.

This has invited sharp reactions with fears being expressed that the RDDP is an attempt to destroy open spaces in the city. The fact that the plan has been presented by civic chief Ajoy Mehta, who is a confidante of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, has given BJP an opportunity to settle scores with Sena, which is already reeling under allegations of corruption leveled by BJP in several matters.

Trishna Vishwasrao, Sena group leader in BMC said that if there were mistakes in the draft policy, it would be corrected. “The RDDP comes up in the House next month and then objections and suggestions from the public will also be invited. We will consider all aspects before finally sending it to the government for final approval,\" she said.

However, BJP has praised the plan, saying it is environment-friendly and meticulous.

“This proposal has been brought to solve the woes of lakhs of people living in chawls and slums. It is an effort to uplift their conditions and convert congested Mumbai into comfortable Mumbai,\" said Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar.