The Urban Development Department of Maharashtra has issued a significant notification, published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette for the period of July 25-31, 2024. The notification, dated July 9, 2024, under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, marks a critical development in urban planning and governance within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
New Planning Designation for MMRDA
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been appointed as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for the extended areas within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This decision follows MMRDA’s request to the government for such a designation, citing the need for planned and controlled development in these regions. The notification explicitly excludes the areas already under the jurisdiction of existing Planning Authorities, Special Planning Authorities, and Development Authorities.
Changes in Planning Authority Jurisdiction
The notification results in the withdrawal of the City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) appointment as the SPA for specific villages in the region. This reallocation of planning authority responsibilities to the MMRDA reflects the government’s strategic intent to streamline and enhance urban development processes in line with regional growth needs.
Implementation and Future Development Plans
In the wake of this change, Assistant Directors of Town Planning for the Palghar and Raigad-Alibag branches have been directed to prepare and publish development proposals and regulations for the newly designated notified area. These proposals must adhere to the procedures prescribed under the MRTP Act and be submitted for government approval. Until the new Development Plan and its associated Development Control Regulations are formally published under Section 26(1) of the MRTP Act, the existing Regional Plan proposals and Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulation (UDCPR) will remain in effect.
Effective Date and Compliance
The notification also specifies that the effective date of these changes is the date of its publication in the Maharashtra Government Gazette. This timeline ensures a clear legal framework and compliance path for ongoing and future urban development activities within the specified regions.
This reorganization is a pivotal move in Maharashtra’s urban development strategy, aiming to foster more coordinated and efficient urban growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
