Mumbai Metropolitan Region And Surrounding Districts Set For Vertical Growth With New Coastal Zone Management Plan

The draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 for Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra has been approved by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) in a meeting held this month.

The final notification will be issued by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

This plan covers the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) except for Mumbai, which had its plan approved in 2022.

Coastal zone management involves managing coastal areas to balance environmental, economic, human health, and human activities.

The approved plan allows for more vertical construction in coastal areas of the MMR and the other districts where there is high demand in the real estate market.

“The CZMP for Mumbai was cleared in 2022, and the CZMP for the rest of the districts was pending. The Centre has cleared it now. This will also mean more FSI for these areas,” said a senior officer of the state environment department, as per a Hindustan Times report.

The MoEFCC issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 to replace the CRZ Notification, 2011.

The new notification designates certain areas as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in order to conserve and protect the unique environment of coastal stretches and marine areas.

It also aims to provide livelihood security to fishing communities and other local communities in coastal areas, as well as promote sustainable development based on scientific principles considering the risks of natural hazards and sea level rise due to global warming.

According to HT report, Nayan Shah, past president of Credai MCHI, expressed his approval of the CZMPs, stating that it is a positive step in the right direction.

He highlighted the deteriorating condition of properties in these areas and the difficulties faced by residents. With the hurdle for redevelopment now cleared, this will bring relief to the affected communities.

Further, developers expressed their long-awaited anticipation for the approval of the CZMPs. They believe that this development will provide a significant boost to the overall progress and growth of the region.

The state government enlisted the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) in Chennai to prepare the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for five districts.

The draft CZMP was reviewed by the Technical Scrutiny Committee at NCSCM, Chennai in 2021.

After being cleared, the draft CZMPs were examined by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) in July, 2022, and recommended to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA).

The MCZMA informed the national authority that these plans had undergone public consultation and received approval from the state government.

Following presentations and discussions, the NCZMA recommended the CZMPs of — Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra, for approval by the ministry.

However, the NCZMA emphasised the importance of preparing a proper shoreline management plan before constructing any hard infrastructure in highly eroding areas.

According to the report, many residents along the Mumbai coast have already begun receiving increased FSI under the new CZMP for Mumbai.

Previously, there were restrictions on FSI, but now this advantage can also be enjoyed by residents of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.