Regional Plan for Mumbai Metropolitan Area, 1996-2011

The MMRDA masterplan for 1996-2011 has been prepared by the Secretary of the Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, D. T. Joseph, ex-Municipal Commissioner, S. S. Tinaikar, architect Charles Correa, Kisan Mehta of the Save Bombay Committee and others. Replying to the charge by the head of the unit for Urban Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, R. N. Sharma, that the plan does not think of the common man at all, and is only interested in making Mumbai a commercial centre, Mr. Tinaikar admitted to the change of focus.



2004


Growth Rates

The report claims that the share of manufacturing sector employment has declined from 36% in 1980 to 28.5% in 1990. In the same period, the share of the trade, finance and services sector has grown from 52.1% to 64.3%. Employment in Greater Mumbai, 71.8% of the total jobs in 1970, has fallen to 55.7% in 1990. The population of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in the year 2011 is expected to be 22.4 million, of which only 12.9 million are expected to live in Greater Mumbai.

Land Use

The plan envisages the setting up of new commercial and industrial zones. Industries will be classified by environmental impact rather than size. Land presently used by textile mills, cotton godowns and the BPT will be recycled. Two new zones will be created. Intensive urban development activities are planned for the U1 zones. U2 zones will be outside development centres but having potential for development. Two growth centres, Mandwa and New Pen, have already been identified.

Housing

The annual housing requirement in the BMR during the period 1991-96 was 85,000 units. By 2021 an annual deficit of 59,000 is forecast. Land acquisition and slum redevelopment are therefore to be given priority.

Water Management

An older MMRDA plan to develop 12 new sources at the cost of Rs. 37.6 crores by the year 2001 has not been taken up. The revised plan suggests the formation of a joint venture company set up by the state government, local authorities, CIDCO and MMRDA to own and manage all water resources in the region.

Transportation

The plan suggests elimination of level crossings, construction of the Bandra-Kurla link and expansion of railway services in New Mumbai. It also advises the construction of the fifth line between Santa Cruz and Borivili, and development of new corridors from Borivili to Virar and Kurla to Thane.