A fresh face-off over cluster redevelopment has emerged between the Navi Mumbai civic body and the Maharashtra government, with concerns over water supply, transport and infrastructure capacity taking centre stage. The NMMC has decided to approach the Bombay High Court against the processing of pending proposals without a city-wide assessment.
Cluster redevelopment in Navi Mumbai has run into fresh opposition after the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) General Body voted 60-31 to oppose the processing of pending projects until a comprehensive carrying capacity study is completed. The decision also brings the proposed Simplex cluster redevelopment in Ghansoli into the spotlight, with differences emerging within the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
At its November 2 meeting, chaired by Mayor Sujata Patil, the General Body directed the civic administration to convey its objections to the Maharashtra government and prepare for a legal challenge in the Bombay High Court.
The move comes after the state government’s Urban Development Department, through an October 15 communication, directed NMMC to process previously notified cluster redevelopment proposals and those pending before the High-Powered Committee.
Water supply, roads and infrastructure become flashpoints
Leader of the House Sagar Naik opposed the state’s directions, arguing that allowing additional construction without assessing the city’s infrastructure capacity could disrupt Navi Mumbai’s planned development.
He pointed to water supply constraints in Ghansoli and warned that further population growth could increase pressure on sewage networks, roads and public transport.
Naik clarified that the civic body’s position was not against redevelopment but against granting additional development potential without examining its consequences. He also questioned the need for a separate Urban Renewal Scheme when redevelopment could be undertaken under existing development regulations through land amalgamation.
NMMC plans Bombay High Court challenge
Corporator Suraj Patil moved a supplementary proposal seeking a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. He called for an interim stay on further approvals for Cluster 1, Cluster 2 and other pending proposals until a city-wide carrying capacity and impact assessment is completed.
Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat backed the legal challenge and sought an independent study into the impact of large-scale development on creek ecosystems and fisheries.
The civic body clarified that redevelopment of C-1 category dangerous and dilapidated buildings would not be stopped and could continue under regular development regulations.
Ghansoli Simplex project triggers differences within Shinde Sena
The proposed Simplex cluster redevelopment in Ghansoli emerged as a separate flashpoint during the meeting.
Local corporator Prashant Patil opposed the scheme, alleging that agents and middlemen were approaching residents with inducements in the name of redevelopment. He argued that Ghansoli was already facing drinking water shortages and infrastructure constraints, making additional construction a concern.
Patil demanded the cancellation of the Urban Renewal Scheme in the area and offered to submit a memorandum carrying signatures of 5,000 residents opposing the project.
However, nominated Shiv Sena corporator Dwarkanath Bhoir objected to Patil’s allegations, exposing differences within the Shinde-led party over the proposed redevelopment.
With 60 corporators voting in favour of the resolution and 31 against, NMMC has strengthened its opposition to the state’s approach to pending cluster redevelopment proposals. The proposed court battle could now become a crucial test of the authority of the civic body and the state government over Navi Mumbai’s redevelopment plans.
Source: The Free Press Journal
