Notification awaited on Thane cluster redevelopment plan

Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is awaiting government notification for redeveloping Kalwa, Mumbra, Rabodi, Lokmanya Nagar, Shanti Nagar and Kisan Nagar under the cluster redevelopment plan. The state urban development has approved the plan but is yet to issue a notification.

An impact assessment study was conducted on these areas, most of which have developed in a haphazard manner. That is the reason the administration is considering cluster-type of redevelopment. Under this plan, transportation, water, sanitation and electricity will be taken up. The assessment was carried out by the Town Planning Department of TMC on existing facilities in January.

“We need to increase the width of the road from six to 18 metres under urban development plan,” said an official from the Town Planning Department. The present width of the road in areas like Shanti Nagar is only six meters, which is inadequate since it does not cater to the its current population.

Similarly, there are fewer open spaces in Kalwa and Mumbra. Kisan Nagar and Wagale Estate are vulnerable to flooding during rains and fire accidents. Hence, TMC is planning to build a fire sta- tion in the area. Around 90% of Lokmanya Nagar is illegally constructed. The official said that these structures will be demolished and the hutments redeveloped into bigger flats.

Rabodi area has fewer high rise buildings and more of horizontal shanties which will also be considered for redevelopment under the plan.

Sanjeev Jaiswal, TMC Commissioner said, “The plan for cluster redevelopment would increase the current Floor Space Index (FSI) of Thane from 1 to double its current FSI or four whichever is higher with an in situ cap of four FSI. It would thereby give a facelift to Thane district.”