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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been selected for the development of 1,387 hectares of prime coastal land in Malad, Mumbai. The decision, arising from a meeting chaired by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and DCM Devendra Fadnavis last month aims to leverage the area's commercial potential, boasting connectivity through Metro 2A (Dahisar to D N Nagar) and a proposed Coastal road.
Spread across Aksa, Daravli, Erangal, Madh, Malvani, and Marve, the land is devoid of encumbrances, making it an attractive prospect for development. MMRDA, already serving as the special planning authority for BKC and Wadala, has recently been appointed as SPA for Kurla's Mother Dairy land, the Worli Dairy, and Ramabai Nagar. This move is anticipated to generate revenue for the development agency, which grapples with financial constraints while undertaking significant projects like Metros, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, and various flyovers and roads in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The Development Plan 2034, approved in 2018, initially outlined the utilization of the entire 1,387 hectares in Malad for diverse purposes such as affordable housing, public spaces, cinema and TV production facilities, IT industry, amusement park, and tourism development.
However, this development has sparked concerns among activists and environmentalists who advocate for the preservation of Malad's natural beauty. They argue that the coastal area, cherished as a common man's spot for relaxation and recreation, should remain untouched.
Some suggest alternatives, emphasizing the abundance of other spaces in Mumbai for development without compromising coastal ecosystems. Notable voices like Stalin Dayanand of NGO Vanashakti and activists Godfrey Pimenta and Rishi Agarwal express reservations about encroaching on eco-sensitive zones and stress the need to safeguard green spaces in a city that has witnessed extensive urbanization.
Residents of Malad share similar sentiments, questioning the decision to create a concrete jungle on the coast. One resident suggests clearing slum pockets for another Business District instead of disrupting the natural landscape.
As the Special Planning Authority, MMRDA's responsibilities include formulating development plans, land sales, issuing development permissions, and NoCs. In July 2022, the state cabinet approved MMRDA's plan to raise Rs 60,000 crore in loans, with an initial borrowing of Rs 12,000 crore in Phase I, where the government acts as guarantor to fund crucial infrastructure projects in the MMR.
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