Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis scrapped the proposed Mumbai Development Plan 2034 after concerted protests against it. An RTI activist wants the Rs.60 lakhs charged to access the plan to be returned.
The blueprint for Mumbai's future DP2034 may be scrapped but the city's civic administration, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has earned a neat Rs.60 lakhs from it! In response to Mumbai-based RTI Activist Anil Galgali's request, the BMC revealed that 6,839 citizens had sought information on various aspects of DP2034. In the reply Public Information Officer, Administrative Department, Development plan, BMC, GB Lokhande reveals that citizens had had to purchase the Development Co-operation Report 2013 booklet, Development Plan sheets, reports and DP remarks and that totaled to Rs.60 lakhs.
| Sr. No. | Documents | No. of Purchases | Total Sum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DCR Booklets | 312 | Rs. 4,25,880 |
| 2 | DP Reports | 177 | Rs. 3,13,945 |
| 3 | DP Sheets | 4130 | Rs. 13,00,950 |
| 4 | DP Remarks | 2220 | Rs. 39,05,312 |
The plan that had been made public on February 16 was scrapped by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on April 21 after widespread and concerted protests against it. Over 64,000 suggestions and complaints had been received for the scrapped DP. A new development plan is expected to be ready by end August.
Galgali has written to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Secretary & BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta asking for these charges to be refunded to the 6,839 applicants.
Anil Galgali says, "It is a mere waste of public money and time. Firstly, the authorities will come out with such flawed plans and then, add to the woes of the common people by wasting their money, too. The government needs to be more credible with whatever plans they come up with for the next time."
Despite several attempts in contacting R Balachandran, chief engineer, development plan, BMC, he remained unavailable for any comments.