Zaman Ali

Advocate, Bombay High Court

1201,  B-­‐Wing,  Dalamal  Towers,  211,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Free  Press  Journal  Marg,  Nariman  Point,    
                                                                                                                                       Mumbai  –  400  021  
                                                                                                                                                                                         Email:  zamanali1602@gmail.com                                                                                                          
 
 
To,  
 
Office  of  the  Chief  Engineer  (Development  Plan),  
BMC  Head  Office,  4th  Floor,  
Annex  Building,  Fort,  
Mumbai  –  400  001  
 
 
21.04.2015  
 
 
SUBJECT:  Suggestions/Objections  to  the  Draft  Development  Plan  2034  
 
 
Dear  Sir,  
 
                                   In  response  to  your  notification  dated  25.02.2015  wherein  the  Draft  DP  
2034  was  circulated,  I  say  that  I  am  a  resident  of  Mumbai  and  have  perused  the  
very  (in)famous  Draft  Development  Plan  2014-­‐2034  for  any  objections  and  
suggestions.  I  wish  to  convey  that  this  DP  is  a  disappointment  since  Coastal  
Regulation  Zone  has  been  out  rightly  kept  away  from  the  plan.  
 
It  is  to  bring  into  your  notice  (a  lawyer  addressing  an  engineer  on  the  most  basic  
scientific  fact)  that  27%  of  the  land  in  our  beloved  city  of  Mumbai  is  on  the  coast  
and  I  may  point  out  and  raise  a  huge  objection  to  not  consider  the  scientific  
environmental  impact  of  haphazard  development  on  the  coast  by  stating  in  your  
Draft  document  that  conditions  under  CRZ-­‐II  in  the  CRZ  Notification  will  not  be  
feasible  and  therefore,  it  will  not  be  considered  for  the  development  plan.  
 
There  have  been  various  objections  raised  against  this  DP  ranging  from  designs,  
wrong  placement  of  water  bodies,  missing  structures,  no  differentiation  of  
Natural  and  Open  areas  to  non-­‐identification  of  heritage  structures,  turning  a  
green  belt  close  to  the  Sanjay  Gandhi  National  Park  into  an  economic  hub  like  
BKC.  In  lieu  of  such  absurd  markings,  I  would  like  to  bring  into  your  notice  that  
you  have  refused  to  enact  a  central  notification  called  the  CRZ  Notification,  2011  
in  the  city  of  Mumbai  for  the  development  plan  running  till  2034!  
 
I  may  point  out  that  you  have  considered  only  the  CRZ  Notification,  1991  and  
CZMP  Maps  implemented  under  the  1991  Notification  into  the  plan.    CZMP is
crucial for systematic development and protection of the shoreline, and
the coastal ecology. Mumbai city has been witnessing an increased
ingress and inundation by the rising tides. Places like Gateway of India,
Colaba where the water reached the doorsteps of Taj Mahal hotel after
 Zaman Ali
Advocate, Bombay High Court
1201,  B-­‐Wing,  Dalamal  Towers,  211,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Free  Press  Journal  Marg,  Nariman  Point,    
                                                                                                                                       Mumbai  –  400  021  
                                                                                                                                                                                         Email:  zamanali1602@gmail.com                                                                                                          
 
 
breaching the promenade, Shivaji park where the water has reached the
main road, in Versova where the tide water has touched JP road are some
examples of how vulnerable the coastline of Mumbai is. The CZMP maps
came out in 1996 and since 1996, there have been shoreline changes, rise
in sea water level, erosions and further changes. This is the reason why
the use of 1991 Notification and its maps are not relevant now, in lieu of
which the 1991 Notification was superseded by the 2011 notification.

My first objection is that CRZ Notification, 2011 in its full meaning must
be considered and not CRZ Notification, 1991. You have considered the
1991 notification which has been superseded by the notification in 2011
and this shows complete disregard to a central notification and hence, any
DP which is implemented without considering the CRZ, 2011 will be
rendered illegal. The new CZMP maps have to be implemented and your
office must coordinate with the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management
Authority (MCZMA) on the release of CZMP maps so that the new maps
can be used for superimposition on Existing Land Use maps, demarcating
all CRZ-I, II, III and IV areas. If non-implementation of law does not
attract your attention, it is requested that in the interest of 12 million
people of Mumbai relying on your plan of development of the city till
2034, you must consider the updated CRZ Notification, 2011. The CRZ
Notification has been considered as a development restriction by your
office. Being the Department of engineers, it is in your inherent
knowledge how adverse can environmental impacts be, in a coastal city
that faces encroachments everyday. Moreover, it will be highly
acknowledged by the active citizens of this city if your duties of coastal
protection are showcased by implementing the new CZMP Maps
alongwith MCZMA and using CRZ Notification, 2011 for demarcation of
areas.

My second objection is connected to the first objection wherein at Page

299, you have blatantly disregarded the concept of CRZ-II, which shows
lack of knowledge and responsibility to follow the law. Enactment of a
law and not following it is much dangerous that not enacting the law at
all. You have termed the concept of having open spaces under CRZ-II as
anachronistic and not conducive to integrated development of CRZ-II
with adjoining areas. Open spaces in CRZ-II help to keep the pressure on
the soft soil (since its close to the shore) on CRZ-II as CRZ-II is already
 Zaman Ali
Advocate, Bombay High Court
1201,  B-­‐Wing,  Dalamal  Towers,  211,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Free  Press  Journal  Marg,  Nariman  Point,    
                                                                                                                                       Mumbai  –  400  021  
                                                                                                                                                                                         Email:  zamanali1602@gmail.com                                                                                                          
 
 
developed and that is the reason why the status of ‘No Development Zone
under CRZ-III’ is given to the open spaces in CRZ-II areas. In spite of
going behind the logic of such important coastal areas, you have chosen
to overlook the law.

It is my humble request as a citizen of this city to please consider CRZ

Notification in its full meaning. Constant sea water rise and haphazard
development together have already led to erosion of few of our beaches
like the Dadar Beach. There is no doubt about the fact that this city will
get enriched over the years if the coast is well-maintained. Increase in FSI
is not the answer to developmental needs. Environmental management is
not a developmental restriction. If the beaches are eroded and the water
enters the streets on every high tide day leading to water stagnation and
causing diseases, would you still call it a development?

Regards,

Zaman Ali,
Advocate, Bombay High Court