Citizens are concerned about the oversight of  Development plans.

The Issue

A group of concerned individuals called the Navi Mumbai Collective has voiced concerns about the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) clearance procedure for the proposed Development Plan (DP). Indrani Basu, a group representative, claims that after presenting over 15,000 comments and objections, the updated DP was given to the State Government for clearance without proper thought.

The Navi Mumbai Collective, which consists of 38 individuals like as social workers, town planners, architects, and urban designers, carefully detailed their concerns in an 18-page statement. One of their main complaints is that the land allocation specifics are unclear, especially when it comes to the exclusion of current slums and the street vending zones that are required under the Street Vendors Act of 2014.

The apparent weakening of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations in the proposed DP is especially concerning. Significant environmental concerns are raised by the notable decrease in CRZ areas and buffer zones from water bodies, particularly in light of Navi Mumbai’s exposure to climate change effects like sea level rise.

In order to successfully reduce environmental concerns, architects Dulari Parmer and Dushant Batule stressed that it is inappropriate to incorporate the updated CRZ requirements into city-level design. Instead, they recommended that earlier laws be followed.

Furthermore, there has been harsh criticism directed at the lack of CRZ III designation and the management of eco-sensitive wetlands, which are vital habitats for migratory birds such as Flamingos. The biological relevance of these sites is well supported by data, however their protection is ignored in the Draft DP.

Overwhelming public response was registered at voters awareness camp.

The Camp

The “SVEEP program” has been implemented in all 148 Thane Vidhan Sabha seats, which are part of the 25 Thane-Lok Sabha constituencies. This has greatly boosted attempts to increase voter turnout as the Lok Sabha elections approach. To secure the highest possible voter turnout and to strengthen the fundamentals of democracy, a vigorous voter education campaign has been launched, with women who are members of self-help organizations playing a prominent role in its participation.

A combined meeting of the members of the Hirakani Mahila Bachat Group and the Shri Swami Samarth Group at Bhaskar Colony was recently arranged as part of this activity. The campaign’s subject, “Matdan Amulya Daan” (Voting is a Precious Gift), was chosen with the intention of appealing to economically disadvantaged populations. Its goal was to inculcate in women a feeling of civic duty and political responsibility.

At the event, participants made a solemn vow to engage in the democratic process: “Mi Matdan Karnar, Aaplya Deshache Bhavitavya Ghadavinar” (I will vote, I will mold the destiny of my nation). Workshops and lectures were held to clarify methods for increasing voter participation, especially for those who belong to savings organizations.

Participants were reminded of the importance of their civic responsibility and asked to prioritize voting on election day by canceling any appointments in order to perform their civic duty. Women from self-help groups were also urged to spread this philosophy throughout their families and communities in order to mobilize support for a strong turnout for elections on May 20, 2024.

The initiative has been executed smoothly under the capable direction of Assistant Election Returning Officer Urmila Patil. This has been made possible by the committed work of the team under the leadership of Additional Assistant Election Returning Officer Asawari Sansare, as well as the unwavering leadership of Sopan Bhaik, who leads the sweep team.

NMMC Chief Dr. Kailas Shinde ensures compliance to rule of conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Planning

Dr. Kailas Shinde, the Municipal Commissioner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has given strict directions to ensure the strict implementation of the model code of conduct in light of the impending Lok Sabha General Election 2024. Speaking to commissioners and department heads from each of the eight divisions, Dr. Shinde underlined how crucial it is to follow the code of conduct at all times.

During a recent meeting, Dr. Kailas Shinde presented a thorough review of the essential steps that need to be taken to ensure the integrity of the election process. These steps include:

• Fair Treatment for Billboards: With a focus on equity, all licenses for billboards need to closely follow the model code of conduct to guarantee objectivity in their distribution.
• Regulation of Campaigning Grounds: The availability of spaces for campaigning must adhere to the same rules, and unapproved hoardings, banners, and flags are severely forbidden. Legal action will be taken to address any infractions found.
• Examining Private Advertisements: Unauthorized placements should be swiftly removed from advertisement displays run by private organizations.
• Coverage of Inaugural Events: Commencement and inaugural ceremonies have to adhere to rules, making sure that the pillars are sufficiently discussed.

To make sure that these instructions are followed, Dr. Shinde gave all departmental officers instructions to carry out comprehensive self-inspections at the regional level. Furthermore, strict guidelines for enforcement were established in order to prohibit unapproved displays on NMMT vehicles and bus terminals.

In an attempt to increase the number of voters, Dr. Shinde emphasized the significance of public awareness campaigns. One way to educate the public on voting procedures, polling places, and voter identity is to set up voting awareness rooms at divisional offices. In order to properly distribute voting information, proactive participation with communities, industrial organizations, and residential regions was also encouraged.

Comprehensive awareness campaigns will make use of a variety of media platforms, including social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in order to reach a larger audience. To support voter education initiatives, audio instructions will also be played on NMMT buses.