Thane’s ambitious cluster redevelopment programme is facing growing criticism from urban planners, environmentalists and political groups, who fear that allowing Floor Space Index (FSI) of up to 12 could put additional pressure on the city’s already strained civic infrastructure.
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Maharashtra government are currently progressing with nearly 50 cluster redevelopment projects across the city. The projects initially covered around 3,700 acres, but the area has now expanded to nearly 4,000 acres.
Experts have raised concerns about the likely increase in population density. Thane’s population density, currently estimated at around 17,000 people per sq km, could cross 30,000 per sq km by 2046. However, critics argue that essential infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sewage networks, schools and hospitals, has not expanded at a comparable pace.
Experts question FSI of 12
Urban planner Sulakshana Mahajan, who was associated with a 2009 think tank report on cluster redevelopment in Mumbai, described the enhanced FSI as unusually high.
“The enhanced FSI of 12 is unprecedented. The resulting scenario will result in structures that will be worse than vertical slums constructed by SRA,” she said.
Mahajan noted that the earlier recommendations had suggested an FSI of 2–3 for heavily populated areas. While higher FSI is permitted in several developed cities, she said such comparisons were inappropriate without considering the supporting infrastructure available there.
“Cities in developed countries do have higher FSI. But these cities have world-class infrastructure. We cannot say the same about Thane,” she said.
Environmentalist Rohit Joshi also questioned whether high-density redevelopment could achieve its intended objective.
“The very objective of decongesting is defeated with the projects getting FSI up to 12, as the cluster sites are located in congested areas,” he said.
Political opposition grows
The redevelopment programme was launched in June 2023, when Eknath Shinde was Maharashtra Chief Minister. It is being implemented through Thane Cluster Development and Area Improvement Company Limited (TCDAICL), a special purpose vehicle involving Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited and TMC.
NCP-SP activists, led by MLA Jitendra Ahwad and Thane city president Manoj Pradhan, held a protest near Teen Hath Naka on August 27.
“With each major infrastructure decision being taken in Thane, I increasingly feel the powers that be do not have a long-term vision. As of now, TMC is already struggling to supply water to the existing population. The city is suffering a deficit of 30 MLD. The city still does not have its independent water source,” said Pradhan.
“None of the officials were able to answer our queries regarding cluster projects. The officials were unable to give a satisfactory explanation on 12 FSI to cluster projects,” he added.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
