By Pallavi Khanna
Considering the Mumbai’s population growth,
the demand for land is increasing ever since and if Coastal
Regulation Zone (CRZ) is restricting the growth of this
international city. Tie and again many, who have been aggrieved are
facing acute problem for developments. Out of total area 437sqkm,
133sqkm is in CRZ I, 100sqkm is in CRZ II, and 25 sq km is in CRZ
III. Still, the land starved Mumbai is not having any relaxation in
the CRZ norms.
Hotels in Juhu and Versova cannot execute their
expansion programme neither Esselworld could expand because of CRZ.
World over such environmental law are not with such a restriction.
In Japan an Airport is floating on the water. Dubai is having
massive construction plans for Palm Jumeriah Island on the sea.
Despite the fact that solid waste disposal is not allowed in CRZ but Mumbai needs to disposal
6000 tones of solid waste per day. The missing links of the DP road
prior to 1991 are not permitted & therefore transportation
problem has become acute. Almost 134 slum pockets and 30 slum
schemes are held up because of such restriction. Now MOEF’S
approval for projects in CRZ is exceeding
to 5 crores which needs amendment, since Central Government
approval are time consuming, the regulation needs urgent attention.
Development of Salt Pan lands in CRZ I, II, and
III is almost 60% of the total area which is 2177 acres. The land
can be used for development but because of CRZ, it cannot be
utilized. Secondly, MHADA also cannot develop their dilapidated
buildings because of CRZ. In its project at Gorai, which was
financed by the world bank, the authority took seven years to clear
the land and allowed construction.
After the gates opened for the FDI in real estate in India, it
is eminent that these norms are relaxed. The need for the extra land
is always hitting the city of Mumbai very hard, but the CRZ is
restricting the development on its existing land.
Entire Dharavi is on the bank of MITHI River. And most of the
parts are falling under CRZ. With the help of Prime Minister’s
funds, Asia’s largest slum was started for redevelopment and
ratification. The question arises, whether the re-development of
Asia’s largest slum will be left with out imposing the CRZ?
Agency which is empowered to control Coastal Regulation Zone.
The activities which are affected due
to Coastal Regulation Zone:
