Mumbai: Funnel zone relief or election gimmick?

Is this an attempt to lure the common man before the BMC elections If not the state government should walk the talk by amending DCPR2034 before the electionsrdquo said CA Ramesh Prabhu founderchairman of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare AssociationPrabhu was reacting to the recent announcement made in the Legislative Assembly on March 26 by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who also holds the Urban Development and Housing portfolio Shinde expressed the state governmentrsquos intent to amend the Development Control and Promotion Rules DCPR2034 to facilitate redevelopment and lift height restrictions in funnel zones which include Vile Parle Santacruz and KurlaThree CMs changedPrabhu added ldquoMy organisation MahaSEWA along with several othersmdashincluding political leaders like Ashish Shelar and Parag Alavanimdashhas been making representations since 2014 before three chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis then and current CM Uddhav Thackeray former CM and Eknath Shinde former CM and current Dy CM We had suggested redevelopment concessions for structures in funnel zones when DCPR2034 was being framed and in subsequent amendments However despite numerous presentations long debates and committee formations our recommendations and pleas were never consideredrdquoNot a vote bankResidents living in old buildings in Vile Parle Santacruz and Kurlamdashareas falling under the funnel zonemdashdo not form a significant vote bank for political parties Instead political attention has focused on slum dwellers whose rehabilitation benefits have increased significantly ldquoBetween 2014 and 2024 slum residents who were initially entitled to 180 sq ft in a rehabilitated project saw their allotment rise to 225 sq ft and later over 300 sq ft The eligibility cutoff for slum rehabilitation has also been extended multiple times from 1995 to 2000 then to 2011 and beyond Meanwhile flat occupants in the funnel zone have seen their pleas for redevelopment consistently ignoredrdquo Prabhu saidAdvocate Godfrey Pimenta a MahaRERA practitioner and trustee of the Watchdog Foundation right CA Ramesh Prabhu founderchairman of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare AssociationElection jumlaldquoItrsquos common for political leaders to create talking points a few months before elections This time too a tall promise has been made just ahead of the BMC elections which oversees one of the richest municipal corporations in India Is this another election gimmick If not the government must amend DCPR2034 before the pollsrdquo Prabhu stated ldquoIf the Deputy CM does not walk the talk before the monsoon session begins MahaSEWA will bring the affected societies in the funnel zone and stage a protest at Azad Maidan during the next Assembly session If required MahaSEWA will even file a public interest litigation in the Bombay High Courtrdquo said PrabhuWaiting for fine printBJP MLA Parag Madhusudan Alavani representing Vile Parle has been demanding redevelopment relaxations in funnel zones for over a decade ldquoThe deputy CM has made a statement in the Assembly and a notification is expected soon We will have to examine the notification to understand the specific concessions and redevelopment norms Once released the government will seek public suggestions and objections which will then be addressedrdquo Alavani saidA welcome move buthellipThe recent amendment under Section 37 1AA of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act is a welcome move as it aims to facilitate redevelopment in funnel zones such as Kurla Vile Parle East and Santacruz Given Mumbairsquos unique airport layoutmdashwith cross runways allowing only one active runway at a timemdashstrict height regulations remain essential for aviation safety says Advocate Godfrey Pimenta a MahaRERA practitioner and trustee of the Watchdog FoundationState must work in tandemWhile safety concerns must remain a priority the stringent restrictions have caused stagnation in redevelopment frustrating developers and property owners The requirement for Civil Aviation Authority clearance for structures exceeding 150 metres within 20 km of the airport further complicates mattersldquoThe state government must coordinate with civil aviation authorities to find solutions that balance safety and urban growth Advanced aviation technology and efficient zoning regulations could offer a middle groundrdquo Pimenta saidCivil aviation NOC requiredEven after the Navi Mumbai airport becomes operational cross runways at Mumbai airport will still function due to headwind directions ldquoRegardless of any state government relaxations the Civil Aviation Authorities will play a crucial role in granting NOCs prioritising aircraft safetyrdquo Pimenta concluded