Maharashtra scraps affordable housing in special zones.

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Amidst changes in urban development policies, the state of Maharashtra has issued a notification, overturning the provision of affordable housing in No-Development Zones (NDZs), now designated as Special Development Zones (SDZs). The move underscores a shift towards a more selective approach, limiting SDZs to high-density slum areas. The notification reintroduces a low floor space index of 0.025 in NDZs, while also opening avenues for tourism development, educational institutions, ground-plus-one residential structures, IT parks, among other prospects.

This decision follows a contentious period, marked by objections and discussions surrounding the Excluded Parts (EPs) of the Development Plan (DP) 2034. The DP, comprising Sanctioned and Excluded Parts, denotes implementable provisions and new proposals, respectively. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had refrained from approving these EPs, citing ecological concerns and potential harm to Mumbai. However, certain landowners pursued legal action, leading the Bombay High Court to instruct the state to make a decision within eight weeks. The Eknath Shinde-led government ultimately chose to discard the SDZs, preserving them only in areas characterized by high-density slums.

Architect Vilas Nagalkar views the new notification as a restriction on construction in NDZs, remarking that it curtails unrestrained development, now focused primarily on slum redevelopment. On the other hand, urban researcher Hussain Indorewala emphasizes the elimination of affordable housing opportunities in SDZs, raising questions about the government's reassessment of supply and demand dynamics in this housing segment. The removal of affordable housing initiatives also prompts considerations about the state's perspective on civic infrastructure development in these lands.

Critics express concern about the absence of clarity regarding the nature of development proposed in tourism and IT park zones. Indorewala highlights the emphasis on commercial infrastructure over essential facilities for citizens, urging the government to explore alternative lands outside Mumbai for tourism and IT park development. The government's recalibration of policies reflects an evolving stance on urban development, prompting further scrutiny and discussions within the public sphere.