Confusion reigns over redevelopment

While the municipal commissioner said redevelopment projects will go on uninterrupted as the list is still in the draft stage,sources within the MHCC and the state government believe that even these structures will require scrutiny from the heritage panel. “The Maharastra Regional Town and Planning (MRTP) Act of 1996 has provisions which state that the redevelopment of heritage structures that are even in the draft stage require permissions from the Planning Authority and are subject to some scrutiny before they can be given green signal,” said a member of the heritage panel.

At the BMC’s general body meeting on September 15,Kunte said BMC will officially release the list to the Urban Development Department in July next year.

Admitting that the issue was discussed at the latest heritage committee meeting,V Ranganathan,chairman of the heritage panel,said based on a circular by the state in 2009,redevelopment of Grade III properties and heritage precincts can go on with just the municipal commissioner’s permission and without scrutiny from the heritage panel. “The circular says that redevelopment of proposed Grade III structures and heritage precincts will not attract heritage regulations. However,it has been brought to our notice that in 2008,the Bombay HC passed a judgment that said redevelopment of drafted properties requires the heritage committee’s approval. We will notify the commissioner about these judgments,” said Ranganathan.

A senior state government official said there was lack of clarity on what decision the civic body has taken. “There seems to be a lot of conjecture on the issue. We are not sure what the municipal commissioner wants to do. If government approval is needed before he can undertake any action,we will look into it. If the commissioner’s actions are against the rules,government will challenge it,” said the official.

Kunte said he will look into issue and decide on the course of action this week.