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The Vasai-Virar development plan was approved 17 years after it was first drafted, amid criticism that it was too little too late. Environmental groups and citizens argue that builders were allowed to develop the area unregulated for decades, ignoring the original plan. The current population of around 15 lakh is much higher than the 1 lakh when plans were first drafted, indicating a need for more social, educational and civic infrastructure. Various stakeholders continue to criticize the plan and development authorities for lack of consultation and changes made without public input.
The Vasai-Virar development plan was approved 17 years after it was first drafted, amid criticism that it was too little too late. Environmental groups and citizens argue that builders were allowed to develop the area unregulated for decades, ignoring the original plan. The current population of around 15 lakh is much higher than the 1 lakh when plans were first drafted, indicating a need for more social, educational and civic infrastructure. Various stakeholders continue to criticize the plan and development authorities for lack of consultation and changes made without public input.
The Vasai-Virar development plan was approved 17 years after it was first drafted, amid criticism that it was too little too late. Environmental groups and citizens argue that builders were allowed to develop the area unregulated for decades, ignoring the original plan. The current population of around 15 lakh is much higher than the 1 lakh when plans were first drafted, indicating a need for more social, educational and civic infrastructure. Various stakeholders continue to criticize the plan and development authorities for lack of consultation and changes made without public input.
Its too little and too late: Citizens, environmentalists
TIMES NEWS NETWR! Mumbai: The Vasai-Virar development plan has been approved by the state government17 years after it was first draftedamidst criticism from environmental groups and concerned citizens that it is too little! too late""# Vive$ %andit of the &hram'eevi &anghatana said builders have been allowed to go ahead with unregulated growth for almost two decades# The government has loo$ed the other way while spaces reserved in the plan for holding-ponds! gardens and schools were converted for commercial use!"" he said# (arit Vasai leader Marcus )abre stated that the development control rules have been flouted in the area for years# *ot much attention has been given to good roads and proper civic infrastructure! as envisaged in the plan# &ections of the plan have been modified to help certain politicians!"" he alleged# Manvel Toscano of the *irbhay +ana Manch said it seemed to be a plan to regularise violations of building and planning norms! he said# ,e will challenge it in court if necessary!"" he added# The state first appointed the Mumbai Metropolitan -egion )evelopment .uthority as the planning authority in 1/00 but later replaced it with the 1ity and 2ndustrial )evelopment 1orporation# . draft plan was ready in 1//3 and suggestions were invited# .fter several twists and turns the plan has now been passed and will come into force on March 13# 1riticising the government for the way it went about developing the plan! 1handrashe$har %rabhu! architect and city planning activist! said that the a bottomsup approach! instead of top-down one! should have been adopted while drafting it# The citizens of Vasai should have been consulted before the plan was drawn up# ,hat has happened is that architects and planners have drawn up the plan and are now see$ing suggestions from the public#"" %rabhu said e4cessive development of the Vasai-Virar area would pose an environmental problem to Mumbai# Vasai has an area of 510 s6$m! it is almost the size of Mumbai! which has 575 s6$m# .lmost 38 per cent of the land in Vasai is low lying or marshy# 2f too much of filling-up and construction ta$es place! it may cause the sea to push harder at Mumbai"s shoreline!"" he said# (arit Vasai members! who have been actively campaigning for a balanced environment! pointed out that in 1/00! when the plans were first drawn up! the population was only 9 la$h# :ut the current population was around 15 la$h! and it was li$ely to shoot up further! they said# (ence! there was a dire need for ade6uate reservations for social! educational and civic needs in the area! they added# ;b'ections to Vasai-Virar plans invited EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, September 3: The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has invited public objections and suggestions to the draft development plans for the Vasai-Virar regions Officials have admitted that the plans have major modifications over those put up in !""# $ith land use reservations changed in certain areas% from an earlier &normal urbanisable ones' to &no development (ones'% an introduction of &lo) development' (ones and a significant decrease in the *+I for industrial use% officials agree that in the interests of &natural justice'% people should get a chance to object to the suggestions Ar"#ite"ts and to$n%lanners $#ose %ro&e"ts #ave 'een #eld (% )or t#e last si* mont#s 'e"a(se t#e %lans $ere in t#e %i%eline )ear a re%eat o) +,,-, $#en t#e t#en %ro%osed %lans re"eived aro(nd -,... o'&e"tions/ Sin"e t#en, it #as ta0en CI1C, t#e re2ion3s develo%ment a(t#orit4, t#ree 4ears to 'rin2 a'o(t anot#er %lan/ T#is too, t#e4 )eel, is a r(s# &o' sin"e t#e 5r'an 1evelo%ment de%artment re"entl4demanded t#at t#e %lans 'e s('mitted '4 Se%tem'er 6/ T#e %lans $ere r(s#ed to t#e state 2overnment on A(2(st 7+/ 88It is li0e a 2ame o) sna0es and ladders/ ne never 0no$s $#at $ill t(rn (% ne*t,33 sa4s an ar"#ite"t )r(strated at t#e dela4 and t#e e*tent o) t#e "#an2es in t#e ne$ %lans/ Aro(nd +.. %ro&e"ts #ave 'een )rozen sin"e si* mont#s des%ite most o) t#em #avin2 "om%leted all )ormalities/ 88No$ t#e4 "ome (% and sa4 t#e 9SI )or ind(strial areas is ./6 - a red("tion )rom t#e earlier 9SI o) + -, t#en a "olle"tor3s "learan"e #as to 'e o'tained )or all "ases o) develo%ment/ I) 1evelo%ment Control r(les in %la"es li0e M(m'ai, Mira-:#a4ander, T#ane-M(m'ra are develo%ment-oriented, in Vasai- Virar it is )or "(ttin2 do$n on develo%ment,33 #e adds/ T#e inde"ision o) t#e develo%ment a(t#orities on envisa2in2 a de)inite %lan )or t#e area #as led to no "on"rete "onstr("tion $or0 'ein2 (nderta0en in t#e last de"ade, added t#e ar"#ite"t/ T#e %lans are s0e$ed to t#e e*tent t#at 1P ;develo%ment %lan< roads are mar0edover en"(m'ered areas, added sa4s anot#er ar"#ite"t/ T#e over ,,... #e"tare area, )ormin2 t#e $estern arms o) t#e M(m'ai Metro%olitan re2ion, #as a %o%(lation o) aro(nd si* la0#/ It is made (% o) )o(r m(ni"i%al "o(n"ils - Vasai, Virar, Nalaso%ara - $#ile Nav2#ar and Mani0%(r )orm t#e )o(rt#/ W#ile a "om'ined '(d2et o) t#ese )o(r m(ni"i%al "o(n"ils is aro(nd Rs +.. "rore, t#e dra)t %lan $o(ld need an o(tla4 o) aro(nd Rs +,=.. "rore/ 88>(st #o$ are t#e4 2oin2 to o'tain t#ese reso(r"es,33 as0s %resident o) t#e Virar M(ni"i%al Co(n"il, Pradee% Tend(l0ar/ Wit# t#e state 2overnment3s %a(%erised state an o%en se"ret, #e does not e*%e"t it to 'ail t#e %lan o(t/ 88T#e onl4 so(r"e o) in"ome )or CI1C is a develo%ment lev4/ I) t#at is #o$ t#e4 intend to o'tain )(nds )rom t#e mainl4 middle "lass %eo%le $#o "ome to reside #ere, t#en it is im%ossi'le t#at t#e %lan $ill ever materialise,33 #e adds/ ?e "#ar2es t#at lo"al m(ni"i%al 'odies $ere not "ons(lted $#en t#e %lans $ere 'ein2 dra)ted/ Wit# CI1C 'ein2 (na'le to 2ivet#em "o%ies, "on)(sion rei2ns on t#e a"t(al "ontents o) t#e %lan/ Tend(l0ar 'elieves t#at t#ere is a s"#eme )or s#i)tin2 t#e rail$a4 station and "onstr("tin2 anot#er in its %la"e/ :(t CI1C denies t#is/ 88We #ave seen t#at it #as )ailed in Navi M(m'ai $#i"# is $#4 $e #ave not in"or%orated s("# a %ro&e"t in t#e %lan,33 said a %lan ar"#ite"t/ ))i"ials added t#at t#e4 are e*%e"tin2 a 2overnment 2rant )or t#e se$era2e and t#e $ater s(%%l4 s"#eme/ Tend(l0ar sa4s #e $ill ta0e a dele2ation to t#e "#ie) minister a2ainst t#e %lan, and t#e to$n%lanners are "o(ntin2 on t#e (r'an develo%ment de%artment to 'a"0 t#em/ Wit# 51 %rin"i%al se"retar4 ! Nalina0s#an anno(n"in2 t#at it $o(ld ta0e a de"ision on a""e%tan"e o) t#e dra)t as a )inal %lan $it#in +- da4s, all e4es are t(rned to$ards t#e state 2overnment/
Meetin2 o) t#e Vasai Virar Ara0#ada !r(ti Samiti ;A"tion Commitee )or Plannin2 in Vasai-Virar<, >(ne =..@ In t#e metro%olitan %eri%#eries, develo%ment o)ten is s4non4mo(s $it# mar2inalisation o) lo"al "omm(nities/ E*istin2 %oli"ies and %lans %ro%osed '4 state a2en"ies #ave res(lted in severe e*%ro%riation o) t#e "omm(nit4-'ased and nat(ral reso(r"es in t#e Vasai Virar S('-Re2ion ;VVSR<, and t#is %ro&e"t intends to em%o$er t#ese lo"al "omm(nities '4 %rovidin2 t#em $it# 'ar2ainin2 tools )or "omm(nit4-led develo%ment/ T#is %ro&e"t )o"(sses on areas $#ere a"(te "on)li"ts #ave arisen d(e to develo%mental %ress(res, and $#ere resident "omm(nities are )a"in2 severe mar2inalisation/ It aims to$ards envisionin2 s#ort- term ;one to t#ree 4ears< and lon2-term develo%ment strate2ies ;)ive to ten 4ears< in t#e Vasai Virar S('-Re2ion/ T#e %ro&e"t met#odolo24 in"l(des t#e )orm(lation o) a Lo"al 1evelo%ment Committee ;L1C< "om%risin2 o) vario(s "omm(nit4 sta0e#olders, and instit(tional and )inan"ial me"#anisms to$ards t#e im%lementation o) t#e strate24 %lans Presentl4, t#ree areas #ave 'een identi)ied )or "omm(nit4 %lannin2 interventions: Vasai <ishing Village =&ector V222> 9is#in2 "omm(nities #ave 'een amon2st t#e earliest settlers in t#e VVSR/ 9is#in2 a"tivities in re"ent times #ave 'een severel4 a))e"ted d(e to t#e "allo(s d(m%in2 o) ind(strial e))l(ents and (r'an $aste in t#e "ree0s and t#e sea res(ltin2 in t#e loss o) 2ro(nd )or )is#in2/ 1(e to t#e nat(ral 2ro$t# o) t#e %o%(lation t#ese villa2es #ave 'e"ome over %o%(lated and )a"e a"(te in)rastr("t(ral s#orta2e/ Land re"lamation in M(m'ai, over a lon2 %eriod o) time, #as res(lted into t#e tidal $aves eatin2 (% t#e $estern "oast/ :roadl4 s%ea0in2, $#ile dee%-sea )is#in2 is a territor4 "ontrolled '4 lar2e or2anizations #avin2 so%#isti"ated "a%a"ities, )is#in2 a"tivities '4 indi2eno(s )is#ermen #avin2 $ea0 or2anizational "a%a"ities #ave 'een at t#e mer"4 o) t#e %ress(res o) (r'anisation and t#reats )rom t#e nat(ral environment/ In s%ite o) t#e )is#in2 villa2es in t#e VVSR e*em%li)4in2 all t#ese %ro'lems, t#ere is no mention o) t#e )is#in2 villa2es in t#e 1ra)t 1evelo%ment Plan )or t#e VVSR ;=..+A=.=+</ T#e aim o) t#is %ro&e"t is to initiate a %ilot %ro&e"t t#ro(2# t#e "ase o) Vasai 9is#in2 Villa2e, to$ards envisionin2 and strate2isin2 lo"al "omm(nit4 develo%ment/ ?aman Village in the @reen Aone =&ector B> T#e "onte*t )or t#is %ro&e"t is t#e dis%la"ement o) "attle s#eds )rom M(m'ai and t#eir relo"ation in t#e VVSR/ T#e a2ri"(lt(ral villa2e o) !aman )orms one o) t#e areas $#ere reservations o) land (se #ave 'een made )or t#e relo"ation o) "attle s#eds/ T#e dis%osal o) $aste )rom t#e "attle s#eds #as a))e"ted t#e land and (nder2ro(nd $ater so(r"es in t#e re2ion aro(nd t#e Cattle S#ed Bone renderin2 a loss o) &o's and liveli#ood to t#e )armers and t#e adivasi ;tri'al< la'o(r/ In t#e a'sen"e o) an4 ot#er )orm o) e"onomi" a"tivit4, t#e reservation o) land (se )or t#e Cattle S#ed Bone looms as a severe e"onomi" t#reat )or lo"al "omm(nities/ T#e %ro"ess o) 2entri)i"ation, res(ltin2 o(t o) t#e ne$er %ro2ramme o) t#e Cattle S#eds, #as dis%la"ed t#e adivasi %o%(lation )rom t#eir lands and #o(ses/ T#is zone, in t#e re2ional "onte*t o) VVSR, also %resents n(mero(s o%%ort(nities to$ards solvin2 t#e $ater mana2ement and s(%%l4 %ro'lems/ In s("# a "onte*t t#e allo"ation o) t#e Cattle S#ed Bone as a land (se is in C(estion, and t#is %ro&e"t $ill ta0e t#e "ase o) !aman Villa2e )or strate2isin2 lo"al "omm(nit4 develo%ment, 'e"omin2 a 'ar2ainin2 medi(m )or t#e a2ri"(lt(ral and allied "omm(nit4/ .rnala Village in the %lantation Aone =&ector V22> T#is %ro&e"t is set in t#e "onte*t o) t#e re"ent s#i)t o) a"tivities )rom a2ri"(lt(re to$ards re"reation and s%irit(al to(rism in t#e Plantation Bone, and t#e %romotion o) t#e to(rism-'ased lo"al e"onomies in t#e 1ra)t 1evelo%ment Plan )or t#e VVSR ;=..+A=.=+</ Arnala, $#i"# is amon2st t#e most %o%(lo(s to(rist sites in VVSR, #as seen a tremendo(s 2ro$t# o) resorts and 2(est #o(ses in t#e last de"ade d(e to t#e 2ro$t# o) t#e to(rism/ D(estions #ave arisen re2ardin2 t#e s(staina'ilit4 o) s("# a"tivities $it# availa'le $ater and ener24 reso(r"es and lo"al in)rastr("t(re/ T#e lo"al e"onom4, 'ased %rimarl4 on a2ri"(lt(re and )is#in2, #as 'een or2anised aro(nd resident )armers and )is#ermen, as $ell as seasonal mi2rant la'o(r E t#e to(rism e"onom4, #o$ever, is 'ased little lo"al %arti"i%ation, and is oriented to$ards o(tside '(siness and land interests/ W#ile t#e %eri-(r'an areas #ave 'een "on"e%t(alised in t#e 1ra)t 1evelo%ment Plan as to(rism and re"reation zones, t#is does not ta0e into a""o(nt lo"al as%irations or realities/ T#is %ro&e"t $ill involve t#e lo"al "omm(nit4 in strate2isin2 its )(t(re develo%ment, and s(22est $a4s o) stren2t#enin2 e*istin2 lo"al e"onomies in t#e midst o) %redator4 (r'anisation/