Decision on DP panel awaiting Mehta’s nod

Though suggestions and objections for the Revised Development Plan 2034 were filed a while ago, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is still way behind schedule in setting up the seven-member planning committee that will study these comments from concerned citizens and consolidate the DP.

Four members to be appointed by the state government include Gautam Chatterjee, (retired additional chief secretary) Sudhir Ghate, (retired chief engineer MCGM) and Suresh V Surve, (retired deputy director of town planning) have already been appointed to the committee by the state government. The fourth is the state chief minister himself.

On Tuesday, in the civic general body meeting when the proposal was tabled for the finalisation of the three other members of the panel, corporators across political parties wanted to be part of the panel. While Sena-BJP will undoubtedly be a part of the team, Congress’ Pravin Chheda has also demanded a seat on the panel.

Trishna Vishwasrao, leader of the house, also demanded a seat on the panel. Other group leaders of Samajwadi, NCP, MNS also wanted to be a part of the panel. The decision on the panel’s composition has been kept pending for approval by MCGM Commissioner Ajoy Mehta.

The panel will consist of the Standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse and others. The planning committee will consolidate all the suggestions and objections after hearing them and then take a call on the final development plan.

The report will then be presented before the house, which will be given 60 days to grant its approval, after which it will be sent to the state government for the final nod.