End is nigh for mill land study group

The state government is not likely to extend the tenure of the study group on mill land development issue.

The tenure of the study group led by the HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, which was examining the feasibility of an integrated development plan for mill land properties in central Mumbai, expired on April 25, 2005.

Confirming the development, Maharashtra's principal secretary for urban development, Ramanand Tiwari said, "The state government felt that even as the judiciary (read Mumbai High Court and the Supreme Court of India) was considering the issue of mill lands in Mumbai, it would be inappropriate for a state-appointed committee to take up the issue at the same time."

As per the state government notification appointing the study group on January 25, 2005, its terms of reference included examining the feasibility of an integrated development of mill land, studying the existing development control rules (DCR) and suggest ways to make land available for open use and public housing without jeopardising workers' dues and financial institutions' interests.

Prior to the expiry of its tenure, the study group comprising Parekh and leading architect Charles Correa, had been exploring an option that would allow the mill owners to shrink their development plans to 50 per cent of their landed property with a higher floor space index, which would be accorded to them for parting with the remaining 50 per cent for building open spaces and public housing.

A higher floor space index (FSI) would allow them to construct 30-storeyed highrises instead of seven-storeyed building as per the 2001 stipulation, the plan said.

The study group also suggested that redevelopment take into account the setting up of a distinct business district area and maintained the east-west connectivity through a corridor.

However, as of now, the mill owners may pursue their development efforts on their individual properties after sharing two thirds of the surplus vacant land in their premises (not including already constructed area) with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

The Supreme Court, in an interim order, ruled that mill owners with redevelopment permissions could proceed with their plans. This, would, however, be subject to Bombay High Court's final verdict on the issue due by July 31.

This means that over 25 of the 46 textile mills in central Mumbai that applied for permission to develop their realty, may start developing their properties. Around 270 acres of NTC-owned mills and 315 acres of private mills land is sought to be developed.