Mira-Bhayander cluster development in limbo

Mumbai: Uncertainty looms over the implementation of a cluster redevelopment mechanism in Mira-Bhayander as its civic body is yet to prepare the mandated Impact Assessment Study (IAR) report to evaluate whether the twin city had the capacity to take on the additional burden.

The state government, in order to tackle the issue of old and dilapidated buildings, has made it clear that the cluster development policy would be implemented in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).  The announcement was made during the Nagpur Assembly session in December 2017. 

However, most old and dilapidated structures in Mira Bhayandar had been built during the erstwhile gram panchayat and municipal council regime by already consuming floor space index (FSI) of more than four, thus making redevelopment options not feasible under the existing permission norms. Last year, an IAR had been prepared at the local level, however unsure about its accuracy, the civic administration chose to appoint an external agency possessing specialised expertise in this particular field to carry out the job. Since then the assessment study has been stuck in bureaucratic red tape. 

"The tender process is in its final stages of bidding and negotiations. Following finalisation, it will be tabled before the standing committee and subsequently the impact assessment study will commence and be completed as soon as possible," claimed Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) chief Dr. Naresh Gite. 

Under a similar policy approved by the state for Thane and Navi Mumbai, no clusters shall be identified for redevelopment without an impact assessment study regarding the load on infrastructure and necessary amenities as well as the traffic and environment for implementation of the projects. Moreover, the judiciary had also acknowledged a PIL filed by a Thane resident contending that before implementing such a scheme, it was necessary  to conduct a thorough assessment.